





Rook 'Jl 'Z z' h (Dft 



CDPXRIGIIT DEPOSm 



MER L. REIZENSTEIN 




H 



FRENLiiS STANDARD LIBRARY EDlTlOH 




MUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th St., New York 



ON TRIAL 

A Dramatic Composition in Four Acts 




BY 



ELMER L. REIZENSTEIN 



'CcPYraciiT, 19 [9, By S'A!.IU-:,i- FR'EiTCH. 



Duly Copvrig-hted in 1914, in the United States of America 
Dominion of Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New 
Zealand and South Africa, by The International Copy- 
right by ELMER L. REIZENSTEIN, Author. 

ALL. RIGHTS RESERVED 

CAUTION- — Professionals and amateurs are hereby warn- 
ed that "ON TRIAL," being" fully protected under the 
copyright laws of the United States, is subject to 
royalty and anyone presenting: the play without the 
consent of the author or his authorized agents will 
be liable to the penalties by law provided. Applica- 
tions for the amateur acting' rig-hts must be made to 
Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York. 
Applications for the professional acting rights must 
be made to the American Play Company, 33 West 4'id 
Street, New York. 



New Yobk 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Pdbmshjee 

28-30 West 38th Stbeet 



LONDOK 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltb. 
26 Southampton Steeet 
STRAND, W. C. 2 



CANDLER THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY, 
AUGUST 19TH, 1914 



COHAN & HARRIS PRESENT 

(By arrangement with Arthur Hopkins) 



ON TRIAL 

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 

By 
ELMER L. REIZENSTEIN 

Staged Under the Direction of Sam Forrest 



OaD 5281.1 
OCT -8 1919 






ON TRIAL 



ORIGINAL CAST OF CHARACTERS 

The Defendant Frederick Perry 

His Daughter Constance Wolf 

His Wife Mary Ryan 

Her Father (Deceased) Thomas Findlay 

The Dead Man .Frederick Truesdell 

His Widow Helene Lackaye 

His Secretary Hans Robert 

A News Agent /. Wallace Clinton 

A Hotel Proprietor Lawrence Eddinger 

A Physician George Barr 

A Maid Florence Walcott 

A Waiter John Adams 

The Judge Frank Young 

The District Attorney William Walcott 

The Defendant's Counsel Gardner Crane 

The Clerk John Klendon 

The Court Stenographer J. M. Brooks 

The Court ATTh,:>rDANTS Jatnes Herbert and 

Charles Walt 

THE JURY 

Foreman, Howard Wall 
R. A. Thayer Robert Dudley 

Edmund Purdy Harry Friend 

Arthur Tobell Nat Levitt 

Samuel Reichner J. H. Mathews 

Anson Adams Joseph McKenn 

George Spivins 
3 



4 ON TRIAL 

THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIAL 

Prologue: The Court Room. 

Act I, Scene i : The Hbrary in the home of Gerald 

Trask, June 24th, 1913, 9:30 P. M. 

Scene 2 : The court room. 
Act II, Scene i : The court room. 

Scene 2 : The sitting room in the home of 

Robert Strickland, June 24th, 1913, 7:30 P. M. 

Scene 3 : The court room. 

THE SECOND DAY OF THE TRIAL 

Act III, Scene i : The court room. 

Scene 2 : A room in a hotel on Long Island, 

Thirteen years earlier. 

Scene 3 : The court room. 
Epilogue : Scene i : The jury room. 

Scene 2 : The court room. 



It is important that the audience be seated before 
the rise of the curtain on each act. 

Wait between Acts I and II Five Minutes 
Wait between Acts II and III Nine Minutes. 
Wait between Act III and Epilogue Five Minutes 



ON TRIAL 



PROLOGUE 

Scene: Courtroom. Judge on bench, etc. Twelve 
men in the jury box. 

Cf-ERK. Mr. Summers, take the vacant place iu 
the jury box. (Shuffling of feet) 
Gray. What's your name? 
Summers. John Summers. 

(Ring up.) 

Gray. Mr. Summers, what is your occupation? 

Summers. Electrical engineer. 

Gray. Are you in business for yourself? 

Summers. Yes, sir, at i Madison Avenue. 

Gray. Mr. Summers, are you opposed to capital 
punishment ? 

Summers. No. 

Gray. Do you know Robert Strickland, the de- 
fendant in this case? Stand up, Strickland. 

(Strickland rises, right arm in sling.) 

Summers. No. 

(Strickland resumes his seat.) 

Gray. Do you know anyone related to him .'' 

5 



6 ON TRIAL 

Summers. No. 

Gray. Did you know Gerald Trask, for whose 
murder Strickland is on trial? 

Summers. No. I've often read the gentleman's 
name in the papers, but I never met him. 

Gray. Do you know Mrs. Trask, the widow of 
the murdered man? 

Summers. No. 

Gray. Do you know Stanley Glover, who vv^as 
Mr. Trask's private secretary at the time of his 
death? 

Summers. (Uncertain) Glover? I'm not sure. 

Gray. Call Mr. Glover. 

Attendant. (Opens door t^.) Stanley Glover. 

(Glover enters left.) 

Gray. This is Mr. Glover. 
Summers. No; I don't know him. 
Gray. You may retire, Mr. Glover. 

(Glover exits left.) 

Gray. Do you know anyone associated with the 
District Attorney's office, or Mr. Arbuckle, the de- 
fendant's attorney? 

Summers. No. 

Gray. Are you familiar with the facts in this 
case? 

Summers. Very slightly. I don't read details 
of murder cases ! 

Gray. Have you formed any opinion which 
would prevent you from rendering a fair and im- 
partial verdict? 

Summers. No, sir ; I have not. 

Gray. That's all. Any questions, Mr. Arbuckle? 

Arbuckle. (Has been seated l. of table, 7'ises) 
Mr. Summers, are vou a married man ? 



ON TRIAL 7 

Summers. Yes, sir; I am. 

Arbuckle. How many years have you been 
married ? 

Summers. Fifteen, next March. 

Arbuckle. Have you any family? 

Summers. I have. Two boys and a girl. 

Arbuckle. The jury is satisfactory, Your 
Honor. (Sits. ) 

Dinsmore. Satisfactory to you, Mr. Gray? 

Gray. Yes, Your Honor. 

Dinsmore. (To the Clerk) Swear them. 

Clerk. (To the Jurors) Rise, gentlemen, and 
raise your right hands. (They do so) You and 
each of you do solemnly swear in the presence of 
the ever-living God, that you will well and truly 
try the indictment found by the people of the State 
of New York against Robert Strickland, and a true 
verdict rendered therein, according to the evidence, 
so help you God ! 

Dinsmore. Proceed, Mr. Gray. 

Gray. (Addressing the jury) May it please the 
Court: Gentlemen of the Jury, this case is a very 
simple one. The facts, as they have appeared from 
time to time in the newspapers, are no doubt familiar 
to all of you. In order to refresh your recollections, 
however, I shall outline very briefly the circum- 
stances which we shall put into evidence. Mr. 
Gerald Trask, as you know, was a prominent banker 
of this city. He waj a distinguished member of the 
community, and occupied important places in the 
social and financial worlds. Among Mr. Trask's 
acquaintances was Robert Strickland, the defendant. 
At the time they became acquainted Strickland was 
a rather prosperous business man, and he and Mr. 
Trask met frequently. Some months ago Strick- 
land began to have business troubles. The cause of 
these difficulties does not concern us. But what does 
interest us, gentlemen, is that Strickland, becoming 



8 ON TRIAL 

more and more involved, found it necessary to go 
to his friend, Gerald Trask, for financial assistance. 
Mr. Trask responded with his habitual generosity, 
and promptly loaned Strickland ten thousand dol- 
lars, taking the latter's note as security. But Strick- 
land's business didn't improve, and he decided to mi- 
grate to the West. The note was payable on the 
22nd of June, two days before the murder. When 
the 22nd arrived, Strickland was in Cleveland. Ohio, 
making arrangements for himself and family. He 
returned, however, on the 24th, the night of the 
murder, sent for Mr. Trask. and took up the note. I 
call your attention to the fact, gentlemen, that 
Strickland paid the debt in cash. He was a busi- 
ness man. (Arbuckle whispers to Strickland) 
He did not ])ay it in check or draft, but cash ! Ten 
thousand dollars in cash! Mr. Trask had offered to 
let the loan stand until Strickland was on his feet 
again, but Strickland wouldn't hear of it. You will 
understand his eagerness to cancel the debt in a 
moment, gentlemen ; it was because he had evolved a 
little plan whereby he could wipe out the obligation 
without it costing him a cent. The scheme was sim- 
ple enough, gentlemen. He knew that Mr. Trask 
would have to keep the ten thousand in his house 
overnight, and that he would almost certainly lock 
it up in the safe in the library. And what is more, 
gentlemen, he knew the combination to Mr. Trask's 
safe. Bear in mind that only two people knew the 
combination to that safe — Mr. Trask and Strick- 
land. But Strickland hadn't the nerve to do the 
job alone, so he called in an assistant. Accordingly, 
he and his accomplice entered Mr. Trask's house a 
few hours after Strickland had paid over the money. 
The accomplice went to work on the safe and Strick- 
land stood guard. The burglar succeeded without 
much difficulty in opening the safe and extracting 
the ten thousand dollars, while Strickland superin- 



ON TRIAL 9 

tended the job. Before they could escape, however, 
they were interrupted, first by Mrs. Trask, and then 
by her husband. The accomplice made a hasty exit, 
taking the plunder with him. That was the last that 
was heard of the accomplice, gentlemen. Who he is 
or where he went we have been unable to learn. But 
Mr. Strickland was caught red-handed, and knowing 
that dead men tell no tales, he shot and killed Mr. 
Trask in cold blood. There you have the story, gen- 
tlemen. Mrs. Trask, the widow of the murdered 
man, will tell it to you in detail. Her testimony will 
be corroborated by Mr. Glover, Mr. Trask's secre- 
tary, thanks to whose bravery the assassin was dis- 
armed and captured, and who gave us material as- 
sistance in linking up the chain of evidence against 
him. Not one of the acts is disputed. Strickland, 
realizing the futility of interposing a defense, has 

refused 

Arbuckle. I object to that. (Rises) 
DiNSMORE. Counsel will not interrupt. 

(Arbuckle sits.) 

Gray. Strickland, I say. has refused to make 
any effort to defend himself. When he was ar- 
raigned 

Arbuckle. I object to that. (Rises.) 
DixsMORE. Counsel will not interrupt. 

(Arbuckle sits.) 

Gray. ^Vhen he was arraigned, he pleaded guilty 
to the indictment of murder in the first degree ; per- 
haps, gentlemen, you ask. if this is so, why are w^e 
here? Why is the County put to the expense of the 
trial? An expense which we taxpayers must meet 
in the end ? Why must you business men be taken 
from your occupations ; be compelled to lose val- 



JO ON TRIAL 

liable time ? Why is not the penalty allotted to mur- 
derers inflicted upon the defendant ? And in answer 
to that I say to you, because, gentlemen, the State 
is jealous of the lives of her citizens. To her the 
existence of an individual is sacred, no matter if he 
be depraved, degenerate, possessed of criminal in- 
stincts, dangerous to society. She will not allow 
even a self-confessed murderer to be put to death 
until twelve of his fellow-citizens, sitting in solemn 
judgment, calmly, dispassionately hearing and 
weighing the facts, have decreed that that man shall 
suffer the consequences of his crime. That is why 
we are here to-day, gentlemen. That is why 
His Honor has assigned such distinguished counsel 
to defend Strickland ; and that is why, before we 
a.sk you to visit upon this defendant the punishment 
he merits, we shall, by the unimpeachable testimony 
of eye-witnesses, convince you of his guilt, beyond 
the peradventure of a doubt. Unfortunately, his 
partner in crime has made good his escape. But the 
greater criminal is in our hands, gentlemen. We 
shall make him pay the penalty of the law. I shall 
take up no more of your time. The facts will speak 
for themselves. (Looks Jury over. He takes his 
seat, R. of table) 

Arbuckle. (Rising and addressing the Jury and 
standing along table) If the Court pleases : Gentle- 
men of the Jury, when His Honor assigned me to 
the defense of this case, it seemed to me that the 
prosecution's theory was untenable. I knew Mr. 
Strickland by reputation, and I scouted the burglary 
h3rpothesis. This belief strengthened as I became 
l)etter acquainted with Mr. Strickland. A man of 
superlative honor and integrity, equipped with a 
splendid mentality and an excellent reputation, not 
addicted to bad habits or expensive luxuries, de- 
▼otedly attached to his wife and child — that is not 
the sort of man who breaks into his friend's house 



ON TRIAL II 

for the purpose of theft. The case seemed to me to 
be not nearly so clear and simple as my friend, Mr. 
Gray, makes it out to be. But, despite my certainty 
that there lurked a mystery in this grim affair, I 
could learn nothing that would aid me in substan- 
tiating my belief. As my friend has told you. Mr. 
Strickland has maintained throughout an obstinate, 
unbreakable silence. In all my years at the bar, 
gentlemen, I have never encountered anyone who 
has declined so resolutely to yield to persuasion. 
Threats, entreaties and logic alike have left him in- 
different. At last I reached the conclusion that 
Strickland was shielding someone, most likely the 
unknown accomplice who assaulted Mrs. Trask and 
broke open the safe. In the hope of learning the 
identity of this man, and, if possible, Strickland's 
motive in shielding him, I endeavored to locate the 
members of Strickland's family. Judge of my sur- 
prise gentlemen, when I learned that the defendcant's 
wife had disappeared from home on the night of the 
tragedy and has not since been heard from. Ail my 
attempts to find her have been fruitless. I have been 
forced to believe {Pause — looks at Strickland) 
that she took her life. I did succeed in finding 
Doris, the little daughter of the defendant. When 
you have heard her story, gentlemen, you will agree 
with me that to send Strickland to his death would 
be a gross miscarriage of justice. That is ali for the 
present, gentlemen. {He takes his scat) 

Strickland. {Has been seated at lower end of 
table L. Rising) Your Honor, I won't have it. I 
won't have my little girl dragged into this case. I've 
pleaded guilty. I'm willing to suffer the conse- 
quences. 

(Arbuckle entreats Strickland to sit.) 

Dtnsmore. Your case is in the hands of your 
coimsel. 



12 ON TRL\L 

Strickland. I don't want counsel. I have no 
defense. Why don't you sentence me? Why — ? 
DiNSMORE. Proceed, Mr. Gray. 

Strickland. Your Honor 

DiNSMORE. Silence ! 

(Strickland takes his seat.) 

Gray. Call Mrs. Trask. (Attendant opens 
iloor L., exits, and calls Mrs. Trask. She enters, 
left) Mrs. Trask, will you kindly take the witness 
chair, please? 

Clerk. Raise your right hand, please. Do you 
solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to 
give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing- 
hut the truth, so help you God? (She nods yes) 
What's your name? 

Mrs. Trask. Joan Trask. 

Gray. Mrs. Trask, are vou the widow of Gerald 
Trask? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes, sir. 

Gray. How long were you married to Mr. 
Trask ? 

Mrs. Trask. Almost fifteen years. 

Gray. Do you remember the night of June 24th? 

Mrs. Trask. Indeed I do. 

Gray. Where were you on that evening? 

Mrs. Trask. I had been dining out with 
friends. 

Gray. What time did you arrive home? 

Mrs. Trask. About half-past nine. 

Gray. Now, Mrs. Trask, I want you to tell to 
the court and jury everything that occurred after 
you arrived home. 

Mrs. Trask. Just as I entered my home the tele- 
phone in the library rang. 

(Lights out — Curtain.) 



ON TRIAL 13 



ACT I 

Scene : Trask's library. Entrance door right; 
door to Trask's room right; door to Mrs. 
Trask's room left; French timid ow in rear; 
safe right. 

At rise of curtain, telephone rings. Mrs. 
Trask enters upper left, and goes to 'phone. 

Mrs. Trask. (Goes to 'phone r.) Hello! Yes 
— yes — this is 182 River. No, Mr. Trask is not in. 
Who is this, please? I'm his wife. Who are you? 
What do you want to talk to him about? Well, I'm 
his wife. Oh, very well. I don't know when he will 
be in. I don't know. All right. Good-bye. (Turns 
away from 'phone in evident distrc'ss) 

Glover. (Enters at right center; starts for 
'phone) I thought I heard the telephone bell? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes; I answered it. (Crosses l.) 

Glover. Oh, it was for you? 

Mrs. Trask. No ; for my husband. 

Glover. Who was it? 

Mrs. Trask. (At door l.) A woman, as usual. 

Glover. Oh! (Sits right at table) 

Mrs. Trask. (Crosses l. c. — suspiciously) Do 
you know who she is? 

Glover. Why, no ! 

Mrs. Trask. No. I suppose my husband doesn't 
take his secretary into his confidence to that extent, 
although he doesn't make any great attempt to keep 
things secret. He hasn't even a sense of shame. 

Glover. You must excuse me 

Mrs. Trask. Yes, of course. I don't ordinarily 
discuss these things ; but even my endurance has its 
limits. (Down l., puts cloak on sofa) 

Glover. Really, Mrs. Trask 

Mrs. Trask. I've put up with this for fifteen 



14 ON TRIAL 

years now. Oh, what a fool I am to stand for it. 

Glover. My dear Mrs. Trask, you understand 
my position. {Cros:ses to her) 

Mrs. Trask. {Sits on sofa l.) Yes ; forgive me. 
It was wrong of me to talk about it to you. 

Glover. Not at all ; but 

Mrs. Trask. Sometimes I lose patience. Well, 
we won't say anything more about it. Is Mr. Trask 
coming home to-night? 

Glover. {Crosses r., looks at watch) Yes; he 
telephoned this morning. He's coming on the 9:12 
from Long Branch. It's half-past nine now. He 
should have been here by this time. {Siis r. of 
table) 

Mrs. Trask. I can't imagine what he's doing 
down there these two days. 

Glover. Golfing and fishing, I suppose. 

Mrs. Trask. He might have waited until next 
week. We'll be there all summer. By the wa3% 
I'd like you to go over my tradesmen's accounts for 
me before we leave the city. 

Glover. I'll do it at once. Where are the books -* 

Mrs. Trask. In the safe. 

Glover. {Going to safe and trying it) It's 
locked ; do you know the combination ? 

Mrs. Trask. No; not to the new safe. Don't 
you know it? 

Glover. No ; I never have any occasion to open 
the safe when Mr. Trask is away. 

Mrs. Trask. I must have him give me the com- 
bination. {Up l. c.) 

(Trask enters, left c.) 

Trask. Hello, Joan! (Mrs. Trask turns her 
back to him and goes down l.) Hello, Glover! 
Glover. Good evening, Mr. Trask. 



ON TRIAL 15 

(Mrs. Trask does not answer.) 

Trask. (To Mrs. Trask) What's wrong with 
you again? (Down l. c.) 

Mrs. Trask. Nothing. (Sits on sofa) 

Trask. Oh, is that all? 

Glover. (Rises) Allow me — (Takes hat and 
coat from Trask; puts them on chair upper right) 

Trask. Anything new, Glover? 

Glover. (Down to table r., where he sits) No, 
sir. 

Mrs. Trask. A woman called you up. 

Trask. Oh, that's it. Who was it? 

Mrs. Trask. I suppose you know well enough. 

Trask. If I knew I wouldn't ask you. Who 
was it? 

Mrs. Trask. I don't know. 

Trask. Didn't you ask her to give you her name ? 

Mrs. Trask. You don't suppose she'd tell me her 
name, do you ? 

Trask. Did she say she'd call again? 

Mrs. Trask. I don't know. 

Glover. (Hastily rising) Do you mind opening 
the safe, Mr. Trask ; I want to get Mrs. Trask's ac- 
count books. 

Trask. All right. (Feels in his pockets) What 
did I do with that ? 

Glover. Lost something ? 

Trask. (Still searching) Yes ; I had a card 
with the combination written on it. That's a funny 
thing. 

Glover. Look in your inside pocket. 

Trask. (Searching there) No; it's not there. 
Where the devil did I put the thing? 

Mrs. Trask. Maybe it's in some other suit. 

Trask. (Irritably) No, no; I had it right in 
Irhis pocket. 

Glover. When did you have it last ? 



i6 ON TRIAL 

Trask. Yesterday morning before I left ; I 
opened the safe to get my check book. 

Mrs. Trask. Perhaps you left it down at Long 
Branch? 

Trask. That's ridiculous. Why would I leave 
the combination to the safe at Long Branch? 

Glover. You may have pulled it out with some- 
thing else. 

Trask. No ; there's nothing else in my pocket. 
(Turns up, then stops) Oh, I know what 1 did with 
it. 

Glover. What ? 

Trask. I gave it to Strickland. 

Glover. To Strickland? 

Trask. Yes. I've just come from there. I in- 
vited him down to Long Branch to spend Sunday, 
and wrote the address on the card. 

Glover. Are you sure the combination was on 
that card ? 

Trask. Yes. I never stopped to look at the 
other side — damn careless. You'll have to wait un- 
til to-morrow for your books. {Goes up l., crosses 
to R. c.) 

Glover. Well, there's no hurry about it. 

Trask. (Thinking) Wait a minute ; I believe I 
can get that combination. ( Goes to safe and ma- 
nipulates the disc) No, that's not it. 

Glover. Well, I guess it can wait until morning. 

Trask. Say. you know if you're going to talk I 
never can remember these numbers. I've got it ; 
there you are. (Opens safe) Help yourself. 
(Crossses l., business with humidor on book-case) 

Glover. Thanks ! ( Goes to safe and takes 
books) Do you want to do any work to-night? 
(Sits r. of table) 

Trask. No, I don't think so. I want to turn in 
early. I've been golfing all day, and I'm tired. 

Mrs. Trask. Seems to me you might have waited 



ON TRIAL 17 

until we all went down to Long Branch. 

Trask. When are you going? {Down l. c.) 

Mrs. Trask. Monday. Aren't you coming with 
us? 

Trask. I'm going down Saturday night. 

Mrs. Trask. Why? 

Trask. I've got up a fishing party for Sunday 
morning. Like to join me, Glover? 

Glover. Thanks ; I'll be glad to. 

Trask. Strickland's coming with us. 

Glover. When did he get back from the West ? 

Trask. To-night. He wired me to meet him at 
his home. 

Glover. What are you going to do about that 
note of his? It was due on the 22nd, you know. 

Trask. He paid it. (Sits l. of table) 

Glover. He did ? 

Trask. Yes ; I have the ten thousand here. 
(Takes iiioney from his pocket and counts it) 

Glover. I'm surprised. I thought he would fall 
down. 

Trask. He got it from those business connec- 
tions of his in Cleveland. When I got to his house 
to-night, he had the ten thousand. I didn't want 
to take it ; I told him I knew he was hard pressed, 
and that I didn't mind holding off for awhile. 

Glover. What did he say? 

Trask. He wouldn't hear of it. Wants to begin 
with a clean slate, he says. 

Glover. That's like Strickland — straight clean 
through. 

Trask. Yes. 

Glover. He's a fine chap. Too bad he couldn't 
make things go. 

Trask. Well, that's business. Somebody's got to 
go to the wall. 

Glover. Strickland takes it pretty hard. On ac- 



iS ON TRIAL 

count of his wife, I guess. He's awfully fond of 
her. 

Mrs. Trask. Is she a nice woman? 

Trask. (Yawning) Couldn't say. Never met 
her. (Hands Glover money) You better put that 
ten thousand (Mrs. Trask goes up to French win- 
dow) in the safe, Glover. 

Glover. Why the cash? (Rises) 

Trask. Well, he said it had been so darned 
hard for him to get it, that he wanted the pleasure 
of handing it to me in ten one-thousand-dollar bills. 
Be sure to deposit it in the morning. 

Glover. All right, sir. (Goes to safe — At safe) 
Shall I lock it? (He covers the safe with his body 
while he turns the disc) 

Trask. Yes. (Go(^s up l. Business with book 
on case) 

Glover. (Rising) Anything else? 

Trask. I don't think so. 

Glover. I'll go to my room then. (Takes books) 
I'll have these ready in the morning, Mrs. Trask. 

Mrs. Trask. Thank you very much, Mr. Glover. 
Good-night. (Dozvn l. Sits on sofa) 

Glover. Good-night ! 

Trask. Good-night! (Dozvn i..) 

Mrs. Trask. Good-night ! 

(Glover goes out right.) 

Trask. (Calling after him) Oh, Glover. 

Glover. Yes, sir! 

Trask. Better remind me to get that card from 
Strickland to-morrow. 

Glover. All right. 

Trask. (Looks at Mrs. Trask, yazvning) I'm 
going to turn in. (Gets hat and coat and starts R.) 

Mrs. Trask. (Rises) Gerald, who is this 
woman ? ( Crosses c. ) 



ON TRIAL 19 

Trask. What woman? 

Mrs. TiMSK. The one who called up a while 
ago. 

Trask. Aren't you done with that yet? I totd 
you I don't know. 

Mrs. Trask. You do know. 

Trask. (Moving right) Good-night! 

Mrs. Trask. No — I want to know who she is. 

Trask. What's the good of ragging me like 
this? I tell you I don't know who it is. I suppose 
it is some business matter. 

Mrs. Trask. Nobody would call you up at this 
time of night on business. You know very well it's 
not business. 

Trask. Well, what's your theory? {P^its hat 
and coat back on chair r. Sits r. of table) 

Mrs. Trask. Aren't you ever going to change ? 
{Sits L. of table) 

Trask. Am I never going to have a minute's 
peace? You're as jealous as a schoolgirl ! 

Mrs. Trask. Jealous! 

Trask. Yes ; you're forever raising a racket 
about nothing. 

Mrs. Trask. Oh. it's nothing, is it? 

Trask. If I look at a woman, or a woman talks 
to me, you're ready to fly at her throat. 

Mrs. Trask. Don't you think you give me cause, 
the way you conduct yourself ? Y'ou seem to forget 
that you have a wife. 

Trask. You never give me a chance to forget it. 
Every time we're alone, it's the same thing. 

Mrs. Trask. Then why don't you treat me as 
your wife? 

Trask. I don't see what you're complaining 
about. I don't beat you, do I ? You get everything 
you want. You go where you please and when you 
please. I allow you more money than you can pos- 
sibly spend, and your time is all your own. Do you 



30 ON TRIAL 

think there are many women who can say the same ? 

Mrs. Trask. Do you think that's all I care 
about? Don't you suppose marriage means some- 
thing more to me than spending money and amusing 
myself? What good is it if I haven't the compan- 
ionship of my husband? 

Trask. My God ! are you going to get senti- 
mental ? 

Mrs. Trask. (Crosses l.) I've never known 
what it meant to be really married. For six years 
1 hid myself away because I didn't happen to suit 
your family. 

Trask. Well, you didn't lose by it. If my father 
had cut me off, you wouldn't be living in luxury 
to-day. 

Mrs. Trask. You seem to think that money is 
all that one needs. It's been that way ever since 
we were married. I didn't want to keep our mar- 
riage secret. But you thought a great deal more 
of your inheritance than you did of me. 

Trask. You'd have sung a different tune if he'd 
left me penniless. 

Mrs. Trask. All your money hasn't brought me 
happiness. No other woman would have borne 
what I have for fifteen years. If you had a spark 
of manhood in you, you'd lead a decent life — if not 
for my sake, then for your children's. 

Trask. Oh, now we're around to the children 
again ! 

Mrs. Trask. (Sits on sofa) You never con- 
sider them. They'll soon be old enough to under- 
stand. 

Trask. (Slams table, rising) Well, what of it? 
They've got everything they want, too. (Crosses to 
her) They're getting a good education and a liberal 
allowance. That's all they have a right to expect 
of nie. 



ON TRIAL 21 

Mrs. Trask. You're sending them out into the 
world with a stigma 

Trask. Oh, stigma be hanged ! I lead a pretty 
straight life. 

Mrs. Trask. Gerald ! 

Trask. Yes, I do. You don't expect me to sit 
home by the fireside twirling my thumbs, do you? 
I've got time for that thirty years from now. When 
that time comes, the children won't regulate their 
lives to suit me, will they? 

Mrs. Trask. You've promised me a dozen times 
to change. 

Trask. Well, that's the only way I can get any 
peace. {Sits l. of table) 

Mrs. Trask. I won't stand it any longer. 

Trask. W^hat are you going to do about it? 

Mrs. Trask. I'll get a divorce. (Crosses to 
him) 

Trask. \\'ell, go ahead ; I won't attempt to pre- 
vent you. 

]\Trs. Trask. No; you'll be glad, I suppose. (Up 
L. c, crossing r.) 

Trask. I wont be sorry, you can wager on that. 

Mrs. Trask. To think I've lived with you all 
these years ! 

Trask. Well, why have you? 

Mrs. Trask. (r. of table) You know why — to 
keep up appearances on account of the children. To 
give them a good name. 

Trask. And because I took pretty good care of 
you. 

Mrs. Trask. You talk as though you had been 
bribing me to throw away my self-respect. I won't 
stand any more of it. (Crosses r.) 

Trask. Do as you please about it. 

Mrs. Trask. I will. I'll bring suit against you 
to-morrow. 

Trask. As soon as you like. 



22 ON TRIAL 

Mrs. Trask. I should have done it years ago. 

Trask. Why didn't you? 

Mrs. Trask. {^Crosses to him) Because I always 
took your word. I always deluded myself into the 
belief that you were going to change. I've waited 
just thirteen years too long. I might have known, 
after that affair at Great Neck 

Trask. Now, see here. 

Mrs. Trask. Oh, I haven't forgotten it. though 
it is thirteen years ago. That little Miss Deane. th2.t 
innocent child — and to think that I have lived with 
you after that. {Crosses l.) 

Trask. Never mind digging up the past. 
{Crosses to her) 

Mrs. Trask. I will dig up the past. I'll tell the 
whole story. 

Trask. Look here, Joan, what's the use of 
kicking up a row ? That divorce idea is all non- 
sense. There's no reason why we can't go on to- 
gether. {Tries to take her hand) 

Mrs. Trask. No ; I'm through with you. {Sits 
L.) I've forgiven you a dozen times, and it's been 
the same thing over again. 

Trask. {Sits above her on sofa) Make this 
the last time. What do you want me to do ? 

Mrs. Trask. {Turns to him) I want you — no, 
it's no use; it'll be just the same as ever. 

Trask. I tell you it won't. What more do you 
want? I give you my word. 

Mrs. Trask. You've broken it before. 

Trask. But this time I'm in earnest. 

Mrs. Trask. You always say that. 

Trask. Well, give me a chance to convince you. 
I'm on the dead level this time. What'll you gain by 
dragging me through the divorce court? You'll be 
the sufferer — you and the children. There'll be 
newspaper notoriety and all that. Let's try to make 
it 2:0 once more. 



ON TRIAL 23 

Mrs. Trask. Gerald, if I do it's the last time. 

Trask. {Taking her hand) Good! We'll be- 
gin all over again ? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes. 

Trask. We'll drop the past? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes 

Trask. (Kissing her. Rises, crosses r., gets 
hat and coat and starts for door r.) All right ; that's 
over. 

Mrs. Trask. Gerald, you'll keep your word? 
(Rises, crosses c.) 

Trask. I've said so. 

Mrs. Trask. Promise me that you'll break off 
with this woman, then. 

Trask. What woman? 

Mrs. Trask. The one who called up. 

Trask. (Crossing to her) Oh, you're wrong 
about that. You've misjudged me this time. 

Mrs. Trask. On your word? 

Trask. Yes. 

Mrs. Trask. Forgive me, then. (Puts her 
hands on his shoulders) 

Trask. It's all right. 

Mrs. Trask. We'll try to make it go right this 
lime. (They kiss) 

Trask. Good! I'm going to turn in now; I'm 
dog tired. Good-night. (Goes R.) Want those 
lights ? 

Mrs. Trask. No. Good-night! (Crosses l.) 

TrAsk. (Szvitching off light) Good-night, then. 
(Stage dark. Enters his bedroom) 

Mrs. Trask. Good-night. 

(Lights out.) 

(Mrs. Trask goes l. to her bedroom. The stage is 
dark. Glover enters l. c; goes to safe, opens 
it, takes money out of cash box — drops box. 



24 ON TRIAL 

Mrs. Trask rattles door-knob, and enters l. ) 

Mrs. Trask. Who is it? Is there some one 
here? (Instantly Glover forces her to the sofa. As 
he is struggling with her, Strickland appears, en- 
tering the zvindow at hack. The man hears him and 
looks up. Strickland enters the room, and the man 
disappears into the darkness at the l. side of the 
room. Strickland goes to Mrs. Trask and looks 
at her, pnszled. The telephone rings. Trask stum- 
bles in from his bedroom and sivitches on the light. 
— Lights up — Mrs. Trask is on the floor; Strick- 
land is crouched beside her, covering her with his 
revolver) 

Trask. {At 'phone) Hello ! Yes, this is Trask. 
Is that you, May ? 

Strickland. You — you — {Fires, and misses. At 
the same moment Mrs. Trask screams. Trask 
drops the receiver and turns. Strickland fires 
agai^, and Trask falls dead. Glover rushes in at r. 
with a heavy stick, and dashes at Strickland. He 
raises the stick above his head. Strickland raises 
his arm instinctively. The stick falls zvith a crashing 
blow on Strickland's forearm. The revolver falls 
from his grasp, and his arm drop's limply to his side. 
He utters a groan and sinks to the floor) 

Mrs. Trask. {Crosses c.) My God, he's killed 
Gerald ! 

Glover. Telephone for the doctor. {Ring bell) 

Mrs. Trask. Gerald ! Gerald ! 

{Lights out. Curtain.) 



Scene III : The Court Room. 
Gray. Yes, and then — ? 



ON TRIAL 



-'i 



Mrs. Trask. A few minutes later the police ar- 
rived. 

Gray. And your husband was dead by that time ? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes ; he died instantly, the doctor 
said. 

Gray. Now, Mrs. Trask, did you observe the 
safe before the police arrived? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes ; the safe was opened. 

Gray. Did you notice if any of the contents was 
missing? 

Mrs. Trask. Yes, sir ; the ten thousand dollars 
was gone. 

Gray. That's all, Mrs. Trask. {Takes his seat) 
You may cross-examine the witness, Mr. Arbuckle. 

Arbuckle. (Rising) Mrs. Trask, did you recog- 
nize your assailant — the man who opened the safer 

Mrs. Trask. No. He came upon me so quickly. 
And the room was in total darkness. 

Arbuckle. Are you sure that no one but Mr. 
Trask knew the combination of the safe? 

Mrs. Trask. Mr. Strickland knew it. 

Arbuckle. I move to strike out the answer as 
not responsive. 

Gray. {Springing to Jtis feet) I — ? Your 
honor. 

Dinsmore. The motion is denied. 

Arbuckle. I respectfully except. Mrs. Trask, 
did any words pass between Strickland and your as- 
sailant ? 

Mrs. Trask. I can't be sure. There was a ring- 
ing in my ears. He almost strangled me. 

Arbuckle. But. to the best of your knowledge, 
they did not speak to each other? 

Mrs. Trask. I can't say one way or the other. 

Arbuckle. Mrs. Trask, do you know who 
" May " is ? 

Mrs. Trask. N'o, sir, I do not. 



26 ON TRIAL 

Arbuckle. I have no further questions, your 
honor. 

Gray. That's all, Mrs. Trask. (She steps down, 
gee's L., pauses, looks at Strickland and exits l.) 
Is Dr. Morgan in the witness room? 

Attendant. (Opens door and exits) Doctor 
Morgan ! (There is no answer) 

Gray. (IVaits until Mrs. Trask is off — To 
Judge Dinsmore) Dr. Morgan is the physician 
who examined Mr. Trask's body, Your Honor. He 
told me that he might be detained. 

(Attendant enters.) 

Attendant. Dr. Morgan is not here. 

Gray. With Your Honor's permission, I'll caS 
Mr. Glover, in order not to delay the trial. 

Dinsmore. Yes. 

Gray. Call Mr. Stanley Glover ! 

Attendant. (Opens door left and calls off) 
Stanley Glover. 

(Glover enters left.) 

Gray. Mr. Glover. Will you take the witness 
stand, please ? 

(Glover takes the stand.) 

Clerk. Raise your right hand please. Do you 
solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to 
give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing 
but the truth, so help you God ? What's your name ? 

Glover. Stanley Glover. 

Gray. (Dotvn stage) Mr. Glover, you were Mr. 
Trask's private secretary. 

Glover. Yes, sir. 

Gray. On the night of June the 24th, after yovt 



ON TRIAL 27 

left the library with Mrs. Trask's books, what did 
you do? 

Glover. I went directly to my room. 

Gray. Describe what occurred then. 

Glover. I began going over the books. About 
half an hour later I heard a shot, then I heard Mrs. 
Trask scream, and another shot fired. I picked up 
a heavy cane I had in my room and rushed down- 
stairs to the library. Mr. Trask's body was on the 
floor, and Strickland was standing at the other side 
of the room, with a revolver in his hand. 

Gray. What did you do? 

Glover. I dashed at Strickland with the cane and 
struck his arm. He dropped the revolver and fell 
to the floor. 

Gray. When you entered the room, did you 
see any sign of the other man? 

Glover. No, sir ; the French windows at the 
back were open, and he must have escaped that way. 

Gray. What happened then? 

Glover. Wliile Mrs. Trask was telephoning for 
the police I kept watch on Strickland. Then I hap- 
pened to remember what Mr. Trask had said about 
giving Strickland the card w4th the combination to 
the safe on it, and I thought he might have it on him, 
(Arbuckle interrupts) and that if he did it would 
prove of value to the police. 

Arbuckle. I object to the witness stating what 
he thought. 

Dinsmore. Yes ; strike out that part of the 
answer. 

{Stenographer docs so.) 

Gray. (Up-stage) Just tell what you did and 
saw, Mr. Glover. 

Glover. Well, I began to search Strickland's 
pockets. 



28 ON TRIAL 

Gray. Was that before the police arrived? 

Glover. Yes; I was afraid he might destroy the 
card. 

Arbuckle. (Springing to his feet) Your Honor, 
I a.sk that the witness be instructed to answer the 
cjuestions and no more. 

DiNSMORE. Yes; strike out the answer. (To 
Glover) You must confine your answers to the 
questions which are put to you. You are not to 
volunteer anything, and you are not to tell what 
passed through your mind. Is that clear? 

Glover. Yes, Your Honor. 

DiNSMORE. Proceed, Mr. Gray. 

Gray. Mr. Glover, did you take the card from 
Strickland's pocket? (Gets card from book on 
table l.) 

Glover. Yes, sir. 

Gray. Is this it? (Passes card to Glover) 

Glover. {Examining it) Yes. 

Gray. (Takes card from Glover) I offer it in 
evidence, Your Honor. (Gives card to stenographer 
who marks it and gives it back to Gray) 

Gray. (Crossing l. c. — To the jury) This Peo- 
l>le's Exhibit A is a visiting card. On the face is en- 
graved in old English type the name of " Mr. Gerald 
Trask." Below that is written in pencil, " 206 Hen- 
der.son Place, Long P)ranch." On the other side is 
written in words and figures : " 14 right 2, 27 left 3." 
]s there any question about the handwriting, Mr. Ar- 
buckle ? 

Arbuckle. You'd better prove it. 

Gray. (Downstage) Mr. Glover, are you fa- 
miliar with Mr. Trask's handwriting? 

Glover. Yes ; I know it perfectly. 

Gray. You've seen it often on letters and docu- 
ments ? 

Glover. Hundreds of times. 

Gray. (Gives card to Glover) I show you this 



ON TRIAL 29 

card and ask you whether the address. " 206 Hen- 
derson Place, Long Branch," is in Mr. Trask's writ- 
ing. 

Glovek. It is. 

Gray. Now turn the card, please. Are the words 
and figures. "14 right 2, 27 left 3," also in Mr. 
Trask's writing? 

Glover. They are. 

Gray. There's no doubt in your mind about it? 
(Takes card) 

Glover. Absolutely none. 

Gray. Do you know the significance of these fig- 
ures, " 14 right 2, 27 left 3? " 

Glover. Yes, sir. It's the combination to Mr. 
Trask's safe. 

Gray. How do you know ? 

Glover. When the police arrived I gave them 
this card. They locked the safe and opened it with 
this combination. 

Gray. Now, Mr. Glover, I call your attention to 
the fact that the card is torn almost in half. Can 
you explain how that occurred^ 

(Ring slozv curtain.) 

Glover. Yes, sir. As I took the card from 
Strickland's packet, he snatched it out of my hand 
and started td^-tear it in half. Before he had torn 
it all the way, I managed to get hold of it again. 

Gr.ay. Yes ! and what happened then ? 

( Note : Gray's line is spoken after curtain is 
doTvn . ) 

ACT 11. 

Scene : Court Room. 

Gray. Dr. Morgan, in what condition did you 
find Mr. Trasks body? 



30 ON TRIAL 

Morgan. (On witness stand) I found two bullet 
wounds. 

Gray. Describe them, please. 

Morgan. One was a slight wound on the right 
shoulder caused by a grazing bullet. 

Gray. And the other ? 

Morgan. The other bullet entered the body just 
above the left breast and lodged in the heart. 

Gray. That's all, Dr. Morgan. 

Arbuckle. I have no cross-examination, Your 
Honor. 

(Morgan steps down — Crosses l.) 

Gray. That's the case for the prosecution, Your 
Honor. 

DiNSMORE. Proceed with the defense, Mr. Ar- 
buckle. 

Arbuckle. I shall call Miss Doris Strickland. 

(Attendant goes out left calling " Doris Strick- 
land.) 

Strickland. (Springing to his feet) No, Your 
Honor — don't let her testify ; she's my little girl. 
She's all I've got left. Don't let her testify. 

DiNSMORE. You must leave your case in the 
hands of your counsel. He will protect your in- 
terests. 

(Arbuckle tries to force Strickland to sit.) 

Strickland. I don't want to be protected ; pro- 
tect my little girl. Don't bring her in here. (Sits) 

(Doris enters left, walks to Strickland, puts arms 
around him.) 



ON TRIAL 31 

Arbuckle. Come, Strickland, this won't do. 
Come, Doris, sit up in that chair there. 

Strickland. (Rising) No, no ; take her out of 
here. She's all I have left to me. 

Arbuckle. Up there, Doris. (Takes Doris to 
stand) 

Strickland. Your Honor, I want to keep her 
out of this ; it's the only request I've made. You're 
a man, Your Honor, a father, perhaps 

DiNSMORE. I am powerless to help you. I am 
merely an instrument of the law which will mete 
out justice to you. The law must be permitted to 
take its course. Proceed, Mr. Arbuckle. 

(Strickland sinks into his chair and buries his 
face in his arms. Arbuckle crosses left to table.) 

Gray. (Rises) Your Honor, I respectfully ask 
that the competency of this child to testify be deter- 
mined. 

Arbuckle. By all means, Your Honor. 

(Gray sits.) 

DiNSMORE. How old are you, Doris ? 

Doris. I'm going to be nine years old on the 6th 
of November. 

DiNSMORE. And do you go to school? 

Doris. Yes, sir. I was promoted ; I'm in the 
grammar school now. 

DiNSMORE. Did you ever go to Sunday school? 

Doris. Yes, sir. I went every Sunday before 
Mamma went away. But now Aunt Helen won't 
let me go, because all the children talk about me and 
make me cry. 

DiNSMORE. Did you learn in Sunday school that 
you must always tell the truth? 

Doris. Yes, sir ; that's one of the Ten Command- 



32 ON TRIAL 

ments, " Thovi shalt not bear false witness against 
thy neighbor." That means that you should never 
tell a lie. Miss Weston told me that. 

DiNSMORE. Who is Miss Weston? 

Doris. She's my Sunday school teacher. She 
taught me all the Ten Commandments. Shall I 
say them for you ? 

DiNSMORE. Not now. (To Gray) I think she 

may testify. Proceed, Mr. Arbuckle. 

Arbuckle. Doris, what is your full name? 
(Crosses to her) 

Doris. Doris Helen Strickland. 

Arbuckle. Who is your father? 

Doris. That's my daddy there. {She starts dozvn 
— Arbuckle stops her) 

Arbuckle. Robert Strickland is your father? 

Doris. Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. Doris, do you remember the night on 
which Mr. Trask was shot? 

Doris. Yes, sir. (Pause) 

Arbuckle. * Your father had been away from 
home ? 

Doris. Yes, sir. He was in Cleveland buying a 
house for us to live in. 

Arbuckle. And he came back that evening? 

Doris. Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. Now, just before he came home, 
where were you ? 

Doris. I was in the sitting room. 

Arbuckle. That was about half-past seven, 
wasn't it? 

Doris. Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. What were you doing? 

Doris. I was waiting for my Daddy. 

Arbuckle. Yes, I know ; but were you reading 
or playing or sitting still? 

Doris. I was practising my piano lesson. 



ON TRIAL 23 

{The stage is dark; piano is heard, in orchestra. The 
lights go up in library of Strickland's home. 
Entrance door near r. Door to Doris' room 
rear left. Doris playing piano. Crosses right 
to little stool back of sofa and plays with dolls. 
May enters right, goes to 'phone, looks up num- 
ber on card she brings on.) 

May. (At telephone; her back to sofa) Hello! 
give me 4000 Jersey City, please. . . Hello! is 
this the Jersey railroad ? . . . Give me the lost 
articles clerk, please. . . . Hello ! this is Mrs. 
Robert Strickland, of New York City. . . That's 
right. Have you found a purse belonging to me? 
. Are you sure? . . . Why, I don't 
know. I came in from Long Branch yesterday aft- 
ernoon, and when I got ofif the train I noticed that 
my handbag was open. The purse must have fallen 
out. . . Yes, I've telephoned to the station mas- 
ter at Long Branch several times. . . No, it 
hasn't. . . He referred me to you. 
(Doris sits on sofa) The 4.17 from Long Branch, 
Yesterday. . . A small black velvet purse 
. About forty dollars in bills, some visiting 
cards with my name and address on them, and som.e 
very important memorandas. . . I wish you 
would. . . Very well. Good-bye. {She hangs 
up receiver, turns and sees Doris, zvho has emerged 
from the sofa) Doris ! Where did you come from? 

Doris. I was sitting behind the sofa. 

May. {Sits r. of table) Whatever were you 
doing there? 

Doris. I was playing with my dolls. (Crosses 
to May) Mamma, was it that nice, soft black little 
purse you lost ? 

May. Listen to me, Doris. When Daddy comes, 
I don't want you to say anything to him about the 
purse. 



34 ON TRIAL 

DoKis. Why not? (Kneels beside her) 

May. Because he'll be angry if he knows it's 
lost, and then he'll worry about it. You don't want 
to worry Daddy, do you? 

Doris. No ; but, Mamma, weren't you shopping 
yesterday ? 

May. Of course, dear. 

Doris. But you told the man you were at Long 
Branch. 

May. It was a friend of mine who was there. 
I loaned her the purse, and she lost it. 

Doris. Who was it? 

May. You don't know her. 

Doris. Why did you lend her your purse ? 

May. Because she hadn't any money of her 
own. 

Doris. But, Mamma, wasn't it fibbing to tell the 
man — ? 

May. No ; I'll explain some other time. Prom- 
ise Mamma you won't say anything. (Door slam 

0#R.) 

Doris. I promise. 

Strickland. (Off-stage) Hello, Bertha, how 
are you? 

Bertha. How are you, Mr. Strickland ? 

Strickland. Everybody all right? 

Doris. It's Daddy, Mamma ! It's Daddy ! (/^mw^ 
off) 

(May puts card in bosom of her dress, places doll 
on stool. Goes up r. c.) 

Strickalnd. (Calling) Yes, it's your old 
daddy. Hello, Sweetheart! 

Doris. Hello, Daddy dear ! What have you got 
for me ? 

Strickland. Something wonderful. Give me 
another kiss. Are you glad to see your daddy ? 



ON TRIAL 35 

Doris. Oh, Mamma and I have been so lone- 
some. . -i/r ■> 

Strickland. Where is Mamma? 
DORIS In here. (Doris and Stricklako enter. 
Business of May waiting) 

Strickland. Hello, May, sweetheait! 

(Doris puts hag on table, then crosses right behind 
them.) 

May {Runs to him; hysterical business) Robert, 
dear! I'm so glad you're back. p^ jove' I 

Strickland. It's good to be back. By Jove. 

" MAr^Those few days seemed like ages. Didn't 

it seem a long time, Dons ? 

Doris. Oh. an awfully long tnne^ 

Strickland. Did you miss your daddy ? 

Doris. Yes, I cried every night, didn t i, 

Mamma ? 

TvTav Yes vou did. , , j 

DORIS. And whenever the clock struck to-day I 

wished it was time for you to be here. Didnt 1, 

''l?rcKLAND. Well, next time we will all go to- 

^^M^Iy Everything's all right, then? 
STRICKLAND. Ycs ; just as I wrote you. 
May. I'm so glad. 

(Doris, upstage.) 

STRICKLAND. Ycs, I feel easier, too_ 

May Have you had your dinner, Robeit" 

Strickland. \o; I was so anxious to get home 

that I didn't stop. , . . ., 

M ^Y You poor boy, you must be famished. 
Strickland. I could eat somethmg. 



36 ON TRIAL 

May. I'll have Bertha get it ready for you. It 
won't take long. 

Strickland. Thanks, dear. (To Doris) Come 
here, to Daddy ! (Goes to r. of fable and sits) 

May. I'm leaving you in good hands. 

Strickland. (Doris sits on his knee) Yes, 
Doris and I have lots and lots of things to tell 
each other. 

(May goes out right.) 

Strickland. Now, young lady, tell your daddy, 
who hasn't seen you for four whole days, exactly 
what you've been doing with every minute of your 
time. 

Doris. {Vaguely) Oh, lots of things. 

Strickland. Well, let's begin at the beginning. 
Monday you went to school. 

Doris. Yes ; and then Mamma took me to Aunt 
Helen's for supper. 

Strickland. And Tuesday you went to school ? 

Doris. Yes ; Tuesday was the last day. Oh, 
Daddy, I was promoted ! 

Strickland. Of course you were promoted. I 
didn't expect anything else. You're in the grammar 
school now? 

Doris. (Proudly) Yes. 

Strickland. Oh, dear, oh, dear, at this rate 
you'll soon be through college. 

Doris. I don't want to go to college. I want to 
be a cook, with a big white apron and lots of shiny 
pans. 

Strickland. Why do you want to be a cook? 

Doris. So that I can make cookies and pies and 
bread and give them to the heathens. 

Strickland. To the heathens ! 

Doris. Yes, I'm learning to cook. Daddy. 

Strickland. Are you ? 

Doris. Yes ; I helped Aunt Helen yesterday. 



ON TRIAL yj 

Strickland. Were you at Aunt Helen's yes- 
terday ? 

Doris. Yes, all day. Because Mamma was 
downtown shopping. 

Strickland. And what did you do to-day? 

Doris. To-day I stayed home and played house. 
We were going to the park, but Mamma wanted 
to lie down, so we didn't go. 

Strickland. Isn't Mamma well ? 

Doris. She has a headache. 

Strickland. Has she had it long? 

Doris. No, only to-day. Did you get a house, 
Daddy ? 

Strickland. Yes ; a nice white house, with a 
large garden. 

Doris. {Clapping her hands) And cows? 

Strickland. No, no cows ; but lots of flowers 
and a dog. 

Doris. Oh ! A big dog ? 

Strickland. Yes ; and now let me show you 
what Daddy brought you. 

Doris. Something for me? (Crosses to l. of 
table) 

Strickland. Yes, something for you. 

Bertha. (Enters r.) Mr. Trask is here. 

Strickland. Oh ! yes, show him in. 

(Bertha exits r.) 

Doris. Oh, Daddy, what's that shiny thing? 
(Takes revolver from bag) 

Strickland. (Takes doll from bag) That's a 
revolver, and don't you ever dare touch it. (Puts it 
in bag — Unzvrapping doll) There, what do you 
think of that? 

Doris. Oh, Daddy, isn't he beautiful? What 
shall we call him? 



38 ON TRIAL 

Strickland. Well, as he came from Germany, 
suppose we call him Herman. 

Trask. (Enters upper right) Hello, Bob! 

(Trask and Strickland shake hands.) 

Strickland. Hello, Jerry, how are you? 
Trask. Fine. Just get back? 

(Doris conies between them.) 

Strickland. Yes ; about fifteen minutes ago. 

Trask. Everything arranged? 

Strickland. Yes. Oh, you haven't met Doris, 
have you ? Doris, shake hands with Mr. Trask. 

Trask. So you're Doris, are you? 

Doris. (Shyly) Yes, sir. 

Trask. Who is this? 

Doris. This is Herman. 

Trask. How do you do, Herman? How do you 
like America? You're quite a girl, aren't you? 

Strickland. Yes, indeed ; she's in the grammar 
school now. 

Trask. That's great. 

Strickland. Oh ! here Jerry, sit down, sit 
down. 

(Trask sits r. of table. Doris sits up r. c.) 

Trask. So everything's all right, Bob? 

Strickland. Yes ; I made very favorable terms 
with the Briggs people. 

Tr.ask. When do you begin? 

Strickland. In a few weeks. I got a cracker- 
jack house. (Puts bag on piano bench) 

Trask. You'll leave soon, then ? 

Strickland. Yes ; you got my wire, of course. 
(Down to table) 



ON TRIAL 39 

Trask. Yes. 

Strickland. I want to take up that note. 

Trask. Can you make it ? If you can't spare it — 

Strickland. Thanks all the same ; but I want 
to pay it. 

Trask. I don't mind holding off for a few 
months. That ten thousand won't put me out of 
business. 

Strickland. No; I don't want to leave any 
debts behind me. I thought I might have to ask 
for an extension, but I managed to scrape it to- 
gether. The Briggs people helped me out. 

Trask. Well, you may need it anyhow. I'll wait 
till you get on your feet. 

Strickland. Thanks, Jerry, but I want to wipe 
it out. I'll feel easier. (Back of table) 

Trask. All right, just as you like. Here's the 
note. {Gives note to Strickland — Business) 

Strickland. And here's the money. {Takes 
mvnev from zvallet and gives it to Trask) 

Trask. Why the bills ? 

Strickland. Well, I'll tell you. It was so darn 
hard to get, that I just wanted the pleasure of 
handing you ten one-thousand-dollar bills. You'd 
Itetter count it. 

Trask. Did you count it? 

Strickland. Yes. 

Trask. Well, that's good enough for us. 

Strickland. You gave me a big lift, old boy. 
(Pats Trask on back) I got lots to thank you for. 

Trask. Any time you need help — {Rises — crosses 
L. of table, sits) 

Strickland. Yes, I know you've been a good 
pal, Jerry, but I hope things will run smoothly now. 

Trask. I'm sorry to see you go, but I think it 
will be a big thing for you. 

Strickland. {Sits on front of table) Should 



40 ON TRIAL 

have gone long ago. May has been urging me for 
over a year. 

Trask. She must have guessed what was com- 
ing. 

Strickland. Yes ; women have instincts about 
those things. I tell you, Jerry, she's one woman 
in a million. She's stuck to me like a major through 
all this business. Never whimpered a minute ; 
never a complaint or an angry word. Ah, she's an 
ace. 

Trask. She must be. 

Strickland. You know it's too bad you never 
met May; I want you to know her. {Up r. c.) 
Doris, dear, run and tell Mamma that Mr. Trask 
is here. 

Trask. Some other time, Bob, I've got to hurry 
away. By the bye, I'd like to have you come down 
to my place at Long Branch Sunday. I'm getting up 
a fishing party, six or eight of us. The bass are 
running well now. 

Strickland. I'll be glad to come. {Down c.) 

Trask. I'll give you the address. {Takes card 
from his pocket and writes on it) It's on Hender- 
son Place — three blocks from the railroad station. 
First house on the left. 

(Strickland pockets card.) 

Strickland. Thanks. 

Trask. Better come down Saturday night, as we 
want to leave by five Sunday morning. 

Strickland. All right, I will. 

Trask. Well, I've got to run along. {Crosses 
to R. c. above table, turns up center) 

(May enters at right and sees Trask, and is about 
to withdraw; but Strickland has seen her.) 



ON TRIAL 41 

Strickland. Come in, dear. (May enters right) 
I want you to meet Mr. Trask, May. Jerry, my 
wife. 

Trask. (Bozoing) Delighted, Mrs. Strickland. 
(May bows in silence) I've often heard Boh speak 
of you. 

Strickland. (Laughing) Yes, dear ; Jerry has 
heard a lot about you. 

Trask. Well, I've got to hurry away. (Starts 
for door r.) 

Strickland. (Up r. c.) Oh, wait just a few- 
minutes. Good Heavens ! I want May to know 
you. 

Trask. Sorry, but I can't. Some other time. 
Good night, Mrs. Strickland. 

May. (In a low voice) Good night! 

Trask. I hope to have the pleasure again, Mrs. 
Strickland. Good night ! Good night, Doris ! [Goes 
out, followed by Strickland) 

Doris. Oh ! Mamma, look what Daddy brought 
me. (May crosses c.) But, Mamma, look. 

May. (Brings Doris to table — To Doris) Doris. 
dear, was he — Mr. Trask — here long ? 

Doris. Yes; they were talking an awfully long 
time. Daddy's going fishing at Long Branch. 

May. What do you mean, child ? 

Doris. Mr. Trask lives at Long Branch, and 
Daddy's going fishing with him Sunday. Wouldn't 
it be funny if Mr. Trask found your purse. 
Mamma ? 

May. Be quiet, Doris. 

Strickland. (Entering upper r.) Isn't he a 
corker? Well, you weren't very talkative, dear. 

May. I was rather taken aback. I didn't ex- 
pect to find a stranger here. 

Strickland. I am glad you two met at last. 
It's too bad you didn't get to know each other 
sooner. 



42 ON TRIAL 

(Doris goes to piano above table). 

May. What brought him here ? 

Strickland. I wired him to come. I took up 
that note. 

May. The note ? 

Strickland. Yes; the ten thousand dollars I 
owed him. 

May. You mean you paid it? 

Strickland. Yes. Why, what's the matter? 

May. Nothing. But I thought — I'm glad you're 
able to. 

Strickland. Yes, I feel better too. Although 
Jerry would have given me as much time as I 
wanted. He's a big-hearted chap. 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. He invited me to go fishing with 
him to Long Branch on Sunday. 

May. Oh, I think Helen will expect us for 
dinner. 

Strickland. By George ! I never thought of 
that. All right, I won't go then. 

May. No, don't. Besides, I dislike the idea of 
your being out in a boat. 

Strickland. All right ; I'll phone Jerry in the 
morning. (Gets cigarette from tray on piano — lights 
it. Hums all the while. Then crosses^ down r.) 

May. Yes, do. (Crosses l. to Doris) Doris, 
dear, run off to bed now. 

Doris. Oh, Mamma, please 

May. No ; you should have been there long 
ago. 

Doris. Just five minutes. 

May. No, not a second. Run away, dear. 

Doris. But I want to talk to dad. 

May. You can talk to daddy in the morning. 
He's tired, too. Now kiss daddy good-night. 

Doris. (Crosses right) Good-night, daddy. 



ON TRIAL 43 

Strickland. Good-night, sweetheart. {Kissing 
her) Sleep soundly. Oh, hang this up for daddy — 
(Gives her his vest — Sits on sofa r.) 

Doris. {Kissing May) Good-night, Mamma. 

May. Good-night, my little girl. Now, in you 

go. 

Doris. Come on, Herman. {Carrying doll — 
Exits left) 

May. Mamma will look in at you later. 

Doris. Leave the door open. 

May. All right, Sweetheart. {Crosses r.) Oh, 
Robert, I've read your letter a dozen times ; I feel 
as though I knew every nook and corner of the 
house. I'm so anxious to go ; I wish we were there 
already. {Crosses to sofa and sits) 

Strickland. We'll be there soon. 

May. How soon? 

Strickland. Why, as soon as we can get ready ; 
say. two wrecks. 

May. Oh, as long as that ? 

Strickland. Well, ten days, if you like. 

May. Let's go next week. I have grown to de- 
test New York. 

Strickland. But w-e've waited so long; a few 
days more or less 

May. That's just it ; we've waited so long that 
it's gotten on my nerves. 

Strickland. Aren't you well, dear? 

May. Yes, certainly ; why do you ask ? 

Strickland. Doris says you aren't feeling well 
to-day. 

May. That child gets such queer notions in her 
little head. I was a trifle excited about your home- 
coming ; that was all. It's the first time we've been 
separated. 

Strickland. Yes, and the last, let us hope. 

May. We'll go next week, then ? 

Strickland. Why, it's scarcely time. There'll 



44 ON TRIAL 

be some things to buy. 

May. We can get almost everything we need 
when we arrive. 

Strickland. Still, when you're breaking up 
liousekeeping there are always odds and ends. 

May. That won't take long — a day or two. 

Sttrickland. You'll need a traveling dress. 

May. I'll buy one ready-made. 

Strickland. I know you've been looking al- 
ready ; Doris said you were shopping yesterday. 

May. Yes, I was looking for a traveling dress, 
but I couldn't get anything to suit me. 

Strickland. Well, wait a minute ; I've been do- 
ing a little shopping myself. (Gets box from bag) 

May. For me? (Crosses to him) 

Strickland. Yes, for you. 

May. Oh, Robert, I'll be so happy to get away; 
I'll start packing to-morrow. 

(Bertha enters dipper right.) 

Bertha. There's a Mr. Burke here to see you, 
Mrs. Strickland. 

Strickland. (Above table to May) Who's Mr. 
Burke? 

May. Why, I don't know. 

Strickland. Tell him to come in. Bertha. 

Bertha. Will you come in, please? 

(Burke enters, Bertha exits.) , 

May. Mr. Burke. 

Burke. Yes, ma'am. Are you Mrs. Robert 
Strickland, mum? 
May. Yes. 

Burke. I don't like to bother you, ma'am 

Strickland. Sit down, Mr. Burke. 

Burke. (Seating himself on sofa — right) Thank 



ON TRIAL 45 

yoM, sir. I found a purse that belongs to you, mum, 
I think. 

May. Robert, dear, your dinner will be ready 
now ; you'd better go in before it gets cold. 

Strickland. I can wait a few minutes. 

M^Y. Perhaps Mr. Burke will excuse you. 

Burke. I'll only take a minute, mum; I've come 
all the way from Long Branch. 

Strickland. Have you lost a purse. May? 
(Takes string from box) 

May. Why, no ; I don't think so. (Down c. ) 

Burke. Are you sure, mum? 

May. Positive. 

Strickland. Where did you find the purse, Mr. 
Burke ? 

Burke. On the platform of a railroad station at 
Long Branch last night. I'm the news agent there. 

Strickland. Long Branch? Then it can't be 
yours, May? 

May. Certainly not. Mr. Burke has evidently 
made a mistake. 

Burke. There are a half-a-dozen cards in it, 
with your name and address on them. 

Strickland. That seems strange. 

May. Perhaps one of my friends. 

Strickland. What kind of a purse is it, Mr. 
Bu^rke ? 

Burke. W^ell, if you haven't lost one? (Rises 
and goes up a step) 

Strickland. (Crosses r.) It's just possible 
that you've made a mistake. May. Let Mrs. Strick- 
land look at it ? 

Burke. I'd rather have you describe it first. 

Strickland. Oh, yes, of course. You haven't 
nwre than two or three purses. May ; describe them 
to Mr. Burke. 

May. But I haven't lost a purse. 

Strickland. (Crosses l., unwraps box) I 



46 ON TRIAL 

know ; but it would only take a moment to describe 
them. 

May. (Crosses r. c.) Well, there's my mesh 
bag, with the oxidized silver purse. 

Burke. No, that's not it. 

May. Oh ! Robert, there's that green leather bag 
you gave me for my birthday 

Burke. (Rising) I guess this isn't yours. {Goes 
up center) 

May. No, I knew it wasn't. (Down c.) 

Strickland. (Crosses R. c.) Wait a moment; 
you've forgotten that Frenchy black velvet afiFair you 
usually carry. 

Burke. What kind? 

Strickland. Black velvet with a gold clasp. 

Burke. (Conies doivn r. and takes purse from 
pocket — Holding up purse) This it? 

Strickland. Why, yes, of course ; isn't it, 
May? (Takes purse) 

May. (Faintly) Yes, it looks like it. I- 



Strickland. You see, you were so positive 

May. I don't understand. 

Burke. How much was in it, mum? 

May. About forty dollars, I think. 

Burke. That's right. Thirty-eight dollars and 
seventy-five cents ; count it, sir. 

Strickland. (Counting money) That's the 
amount that's here? Is that correct. May? 

May. Why, yes, I think so. 

Stri<;kland. (Puts money back in purse and 
closes-jk) You sav you found this at Long Branch, 
Mr. Burke? 

Burke. Yes, sir. On the platform, last night. 
There was a slip of paper in it, with a Long Branch 
address written on it — 206 Henderson Place. I 
didn't get a chance to go around there until this 
evening, as it's a good bit out of my way. There 
was nobody home but an old housekeeper. She said 



ON TRIAL 47 

she didn't know anyone named Strickland, but 
there'd been a lady there yesterday ; so I thought I'd 
come to the address on the card. 

Strickland. I see. Well, we're greatly obliged 
to you, Mr. Burke. 

(Burke starts to exit.) 

Strickland. Hold on, wait a minute. You'r en- 
titled to some compensation for your trouble. 
{Gives him some bills) 

Burke. (Pleased) Thank you very much, sir. 

Strickland. Not at all ; we're indebted to you. 

Burke. Well, I always say that honesty is the 
best policy. 

Strickland. Quite right. 

Burke. Yes, I found it so. Well, good-night, 
mum. Good-night, sir. 

Strickland. Let me show you to the door. 
(Crosses r.) 

Burke. Thank you, sir. (He goes out, follozved 
by Strickland) 

(Doris enters left.) 

Doris. Oh, Mamma, you found your purse, 
didn't you ? 

May. Yes, darling ; now run away to bed. 

Doris. But I can't sleep. 

May. But you must sleep, dear. Try, try dear, 
just a little while. There's a good little girl. (Takes 
her left Doris enters door, left) 

(Strickland re-enters; puts purse on table.) 

Strickland. It's strange you didn't know yo« 
lost your purse. You almost drove the man away. 
What made you so insistent? 



48 ON TRIAL 

May. I didn't want you to think I'd been care- 
less. 

Strickland. (Surprised) Oh, then you knew 
you'd lost your purse. 

May. Why, I 

Strickland. Did you know ? 

May. Yes ; I missed it last night. (Facing him) 

Strickland. But why did you pretend you 
didn't know ? 

May. I thought you'd be angry if you knew I'd 
lost the purse. 

Strickland. But why on earth 

May. It was careless of me to lose it. 

Strickland. But, my dear girl 

May. I just didn't want to worry you. 

Strickland. Well, I wouldn't be likely to worry 
about a recovered purse, would I? (Exits r. of 
table) 

May. It was foolish. 

Strickland. How did the purse get to Long 
Branch? You weren't there yesterday. (Max does 
not anszver) W^ere you? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. But you said before that you'd 
been shopping. 

May. That was on account of Doris. (Comes 
to table) 

Strickland. On account of Doris ? 

May. Yes ; she wanted to know where I was 
going. (Sits L. of table) If I had told her I was 
going to the seashore, she would have teased me to 
take her along. 

Strickland. But you told me the same thing 
after Doris had gone to bed. 

May. Did I? I couldn't have been thinking of 
what I was saying. 

Strickland. Yes, you even mentioned that you 
were looking for a traveling dress. 



ON TRIAL 49 

May. Queer, isn't it? My thoughts must be 
wandering to-night. The excitement of your home- 
coming, and all that. (Rises) 

Strickland. What took you to Long Branch? 

(Bertha enters.) 

May. What is it, Bertha ? 
Bertha. Mr. Strickland's dinner is ready. 
Strickland. All right, Bertha; I'll be there in 
a moment. 

(Bertha exits right upper.) 

May. You'd better go in. Robert ; everything will 
get cold. (Up behind table) 

Strickland. In a moment. 

May. But you must eat, dear; you'll be ill if you 
don't. 

Strickland. Just tell me about Long Branch. 
I don't quite understand it. 

May. I'll tell you some other time. I'm tired 
now, and your dinner is waiting. 

Strickland. Won't you tell me why you went 
down there? {She goes l. a step) You didn't 
write that you were going? Why are you acting 
so strangely, dear? (Takes her in his arms) 

May. I'm not acting strangely. Of course I'll 
tell you why I went down. I went down to see a 
friend. 

Strickland. I didn't know you had friends at 
Long Branch. 

May. You don't know her. 

Strickland. Who is she? 

May. Ruth Green is her name. 

Strickland. Who's Ruth Green? 

May. An old school friend of mine. 

Strickland. Have I ever met her? • 



50 ON TRIAL 

' May. No ; and I haven't seen her for years. 

Strickland. Then how did you happen to go 
down to see her yesterday? 

May. She wrote, asking me to come down. 

Strickland, (r., a fezv steps) You haven't met 
her for years, then she suddenly asks you to come 
down to Long Branch to see her. Why didn't she 
come to see you? 

May. She's critically ill, and she wanted to see 
me again. So she had me looked up. We used to 
be quite intimate in school. 

Strickland. How did she manage to write, if 
she's so ill? 

May. Someone wrote for her. 

Strickland. From what is she suffering? 
(Crosses to her) 

May. Why — pneumonia. 

Strickland. Oh, she's dangerously ill then? 

May. Oh, yes. 

Strickland. But Burke said there was no one 
there. 

May. Burke—? 

Strickland. Yes — at the Henderson Place ad- 
dress. The house he went to. He said he found 
only an old housekeeper. 

May. Oh, yes, I remember ; they said they were 
going to remove her to a hospital to-day. 

Strickland. With pneumonia ? 

May. Yes- — there are serious complications. 

Strickland. I see. (Crosses r. and sits on 
sofa) 

May. Your dinner won't be fit to eat, Robert. 

Strickland. Never mind about it ; I'm not hun- 
gry. Just be patient with me for a few minutes 
more. (Sits on sofa, right) 

May. What are you thinking about, Robert? 
(Sits L. of table) 

Strickland. (Crosses c.) I'd like to see that 



ON TRIAL 51 

letter from Miss Green. 

May. I can't show it to you. 

Strickland. Why not ? 

May. Because it contains some personal matters 
that she wouldn't want anyone but me to know 
about. 

Strickland. But she didn't write the letter her- 
self. 

May. No — her mother wrote it for her. 

Strickland. Oh, she has a mother? 

May. Certainly she has a mother. 

Strickland. {Sits on edge of table) In other 
words, your friend whom you haven't seen for 
years chooses a moment when she is critically ill to 
get her mother to write to you concerning matters 
which your husband daren't know anything about? 
Is that correct? 

AlAY. Yes ; but there's nothing strange about it. 

Strickland. Perhaps not. (Crosses r. c.) 
Still, I'd like to see the letter. I don't want to read 
it. I only want to look at it. 

May. Why do you want to see it? 

Strickland. (Sits r. of table) I want to know 
why, if you had a letter containing your friend's ad- 
dress, you went to the trouble of copying it on an- 
other piece of paper. 

May. Who said I copied it on another piece of 
paper ? 

Strickland. Burke. He said the purse con- 
tained the Henderson Place address on a piece of 
paper. 

May. Oh, that was because — I djd that to — 
(Rises and goes l. a step) 

Strickland. (Goes to her with hands on her 
shoulders) May, you're keeping something from 
me. 

May. Don't say that, Robert. Why should I 
keep anything from you? 



52 ON TRIAL 

Strickland. I don't know ; but you are, never- 
theless. What is it, May? 

May. There is nothing. 

Strickland. There is. I've never seen you Hke 
this before. Won't you tell me ? 

May. There's nothing, dear — nothing! (Dozvn l.) 

Strickland. Well, then I can't see why you 
have any great objection to showing me the letter? 

May. I can't show it to you. 

Strickland. . You can't ? 

May. No ; I destroyed it. 

Strickland. Oh, you destroyed it ? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. W^hy ? 

May. I never keep letters. 

Strickland. Why didn't you say so in the first 
place ? 

May. Say what in the first place? 

Strickland. That you destroyed the letter. 

May. Because you're cross-examining me as 
though I were a criminal. My head's whirling like a 
top. I can't stand it much longer. (Up l.) 

Strickland. (Up to table) May, dear, I don't 
want to hurt you. Won't you tell me what's trou- 
bling you? We've never before had secrets froin 
each other. 

May. But there's nothing to tell — there's nothing 
to tell. 

Strickland. I'll have to find out for myself, 
then. (Sits in chair right of tabic) I didn't look 
for this kind of a home-coming. (He relapses into 
silence ) 

May. (Above table — Pause) What are you 
thinking about now ? (He does not anszvcr) I wish 
you'd eat your dinner instead of exciting yourself 
about nothing. 

Strickland. Henderson Place. Where is that 
card Trask gave me? (Searches in his pockets) 



ON TRIAL 53 

May. (l. of table) What are you talking about ? 

Strickland. {Finding card) Here it is! What's 
this? " 14 right, 2, 27 — " No, that's not it. Yes — 
206 Henderson Place. 206! (Rises) That's the 
very number Burke mentioned, isn't it ? 

May. I don't know ; I dont know. 

Strickland. (Crosses r. c.) Is it, or isn't it? 

May. I don't know. 

Strickland. I'll soon find out. (He reaches 
for purse on table, which May seises first) Let 
me have that purse. 

May. What do you want it for? 

Strickland. I want to see that address. 

May. There's no address there. 

Strickland. Give me that purse. 

May. No, Robert! 

Strickland. I want that purse; do you hear 
me? 

May. Robert ! 

Strickland. Will you give it to me, or not ? 

May. Please — Robert. 

(He snatches the purse from her; she gives a little 
scream; Strickland opens the purse; scatters 
the contents on the table; he searches through 
them until he finds what he is looking for.) 

Strickland. This is it. 206 Henderson Place. 
(r. of table) Trask's address. So that's where you 
were? W^ell, what have you got to say? 

May. (Down l. Desperately) I'll tell you. 

Strickland. Wait a moment. It was Trask's 
house you went to, wasn't it ? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. Then your friend — then her mother 
— and the letter you destroyed were all lies, werent' 
they ? 

May. Yes, but listen to me. 



54 ON TRIAL 

Strickland. Go ahead, I'm listening. (Sits r. 
of table) I want to know why you went to Trask's 
house. 

May. I'm going to tell you, if you'll only be 
patient. 

Strickland. Go on. 

May. I'd heard you say that Mr. Trask had a 
home at Long Branch. 

Strickland. Well ? 

May. When you wrote to me about the house — 

Strickland. Well — why are you stopping? 

May. You frighten me. 

Strickland. Go on. 

May. Well, I don't know much about house 
planning, and I wanted to see a well planned house. 

So I went down to Long Branch to look through 
Mr. Trask's house. 

Strickland. With him? 

May. No, alone ; the housekeeper showed me 
through. 

Strickland. So that's why you went down — 
to look at the house ? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. Then why have you been lying to 
me? 

May. I thought you might not like it. 

Strickland. Why did you think that ? 

May. I don't know ; it was a foolish thing to do 
— going to a stranger's house ; and your manner 
seemed so suspicious — you forced me into it. 
{Down L. a step) 

Strickland. When I introduced you to-night 
you pretended you'd never met each other? 

May. We hadn't. 

Strickland. How did you know his address 
then ? 

May. I called him up. 

Strickland. You called him up? 



ON TRIAL 55 

May. Yes, of course; I couldn't go without ask- 
ing his permission. 

Strickland. So you called him up to ask per- 
mission to visit his house — a man you'd never met. 

May. He's a friend of yours — I didn't see any 
harm. 

Strickland. What did he say? 

May. He said he didn't mind at all. 

Strickland. And he gave you his address? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. Over the phone? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. {Half mad) That's the last lie 
you'll tell me. (Rises and goes up R.) 

May. What do you mean ? 

Strickland. I mean that this address is in 
Trask's handwriting. (Crosses to her) 

(May with a cry sits l. of tabic.) 

Strickland. I want the truth now. You met 
Trask before to-night? 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. He came here. 

May. Yes. 

Strickland. When? 

May. Night before last. 

Strickland. And you arranged to go down there 
yesterday? He was there? You went down there 
to meet him — my God ! (Up R. c.) 

May. Robert, dear. 

Strickland. May, why did you go down there? 
— I'm waiting. 

May. Because — no, no, I can't tell you ; I can't 
tell you. (Crosses R.) 

Strickland. May, if you love me — if you ever 
loved me 

May. I can't— I ca.i't! 



56 ON TRIAL 

Strickland. You can't tell me? You mean — 
No! Say it's not true! (She does not answer) 
Won't you answer? Is it true? 

May. Robert, dear, you mustn't ask me any 
more questions, because I can't answer them. There 
is something I can't tell you. You must trust me, 
Robert. We've loved each other all these years. 
Believed in each other. You're everything that life 
means to me — you and Doris. We're going away 
now, to begin a new life. Perhaps some day when 
we are in our new home I'll tell you, but not now. 
You've always believed in ine ; believe in me now. 

Strickland. I do — I do ! But there's one thing 
you must tell me. What have you been to Tra.sk? 
(May drops on sofa, sobbing. Strickland starts 
c. looks at door l., buries his face in his hands — 
groans — starts for door r., stops — rushs to bag, gets 
revolver and rushes off r. — Door slam) 

May. (Sobbing on sofa — Gets up goes up 

center) Robert ! Robert ! He's gone ! He's 
gone I If he finds him, he'll kill him. His whole 
life will be ruined. Robert, my husband, my hus- 
band. (Rushes to 'phone) Hello, hello! give me 
182 River 

Doris. (RusJies from left) Oh, Mamma, I'm 
afraid — I'm afraid. 

May. (Takes her in her arms) Oh, my darling ! 
My baby! (Takes Doris in her arms) My little 
girl ! HELLO ! HELLO ! 

Curtain. 



ON TRIAL 57 

SCENE III. 
(Doris heard sobbing.) 
Doris. I'm afraid, I'm afraid. 

(Lights go tip on Court Room scene.) 

Doris. (Sobbing) I'm afraid; I'm afraid. (On 
zvitness stand) 

Arbuckle. Don't cry, Doris. I won't be much 
longer. Whom did your mother call up? 

Doris. Mr. Trask ; but he wasn't there. 

Arbuckle. How do you know he wasn't there ? 

Doris. Because Mamma said, I will call again. 

Arbuckle. Then what did she do? 

Doris. She cried and walked up and down the 
room and said lots of terrible things. 

Arbuckle. What did she say? 

Doris. Why didn't I tell him? \\'hy didn't I 
tell him? 

Arbuckle. What then? 

Doris. Then I cried, too, because I was afraid. 
I wanted to talk to her, but she wouldn't. I was 
awfully afraid. I'm afraid now. {She cries) 

Arbuckle. Don't cry, Doris. It will only be a 
few minvites longer ; then we'll be through with 
you. 

Doris. (Crying) I want my Mamma. 

Arbuckle. Try not to cry. Just a Httle while 
longer. (Takes her hand from her face) That's 
a good girl. Are you listening to me? 

Doris. (Choking back a sob) Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. Did your mother call up again? 

Doris. Yes, sir ; and she said : '* Is that you, 
Gerald Trask ? " I don't want to talk any more. 
My head hurts, and I'm afraid. 

Arbuckle. Don't be afraid. We'll be finished 



58 ON TRIAL 

in a moment. Your mother said : " Is that you, 
Gerald Trask " 

Doris. Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. What happened then? 

Doris. Then — then — oh, I don't know. 

Arbuckle. Yes, you do, Doris. Just try to 
think. You've told me about it a great many 
times. 

Doris. I don't remember. 

Arbuckle. Try to think a moment. Be a brave 
girl. Did you hear a noise through the telephone? 

Doris. Yes, sir. 

Gray. (Rises) If the Court please, I must again 
insist that my friend refrain from leading the wit- 
ness. 

Arbuckle. I submit, Your Honor, that the child 
is laboring under a terrific strain, and that I must be 
allowed some latitude. 

Dinsmore. Try not to lead the witness. 

(Gray sits.) 

Arbuckle. You say you heard a noise, Doris? 

Doris. Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. What kind of a noise was it? 

Doris. I don't know — a funny noise — like a little 
firecracker. 

Arbuckle. And what did your mother do when 
she heard the noise? 

Doris. She screamed and said : " My God, he's 
killed him ! " Please let me go. I don't want to 
talk any more 

Arbuckle. Just one more question, and you'll be 
all through. 

Doris. I don't want to. 

Arbuckle. What did your mother do after she 
said, " My God, he's killed him? " 

Doris. She took me in her arms and kissed me 



ON TRIAL 59 

and said, " Good-bye," and I cried because it hurt 
when she kissed me. 

Arijuckle. Did she go away then? 

Doris. Yes. 

Arbuckle. And have you seen your mother 
since that night? 

Doris. {Sobbing) No, no ; I want to see her. 

Arbuckle. Do you know where she is? 

Doris. (Sobbing) No, no — please tell me. I 
want to see her. I want to see her. Daddy dear — 
( Ring — She starts dotvn steps of ^tand — Arbuckle 
catches her in his arms) Why did you make 
Mamma cry and run away from me ? 

Arbuckle. (CatcJies her in his arms) That's 
the child's story, Your Honor. 

Strickland. For God's sake, you're torturing 
my little baby. 

Gray. 1 move that the child's testimony be 
stricken out. 

DiNSMORE. {Raps once) Silence. 

Strickland. (Rises) You're torturing my lit- 
tle girl. 

Curtain. 

ACT III. 

Scene One. 

Scene: The Court Room. 

Dinsmore. Mr. Gray, have you seen Mr. Ar- 
buckle this morning? 

Gray. No, Your Honor, I have not. 

Dinsmore. (Looking at his match — As Judge 
looks at his 7vatch several of the jury look at their 
xvatches) It's twenty minutes after ten. Mr. 
Daniels ! 



6o O^ TRIAL 

Clerk. (Rises) Yes, Your Honor. 

DiNSMORE. Just call up Mr. Arbuckle's office 
and find out what's detaining him. 

Clerk. Yes, Your Honor. (Goes right — Ar- 
BUCKLE enters, breathless, ivith bag — puts bag on 
table L.) Here's Mr. Arbuckle, Your Honor. 

DiNSMORE. (Sharply) This court convenes at 
ten o'clock, Mr. Arbuckle. 

Arbuckle. (Crosses c.) I must ask Your 
Honor to excuse me. I have been working all night 
on this case. There has been an unexpected de- 
velopment over night. Last evening Mrs. Strick- 
land, the wife of the defendant, came to my house. 
It seems that she became dangerously ill after the 
catastrophe, and it is only the realization of the im- 
portance of her testimony that has enabled her to be 
in condition to take the witness stand. She has told 
me a story. Your Honor, which puts an entirely dif- 
ferent aspect upon this case. 

Gray. I object to counsel commenting upon the 
testimony of a witness who has not yet been called. 

Arbuckle. Very well, Your Honor. I shall 
call Mrs. Strickland at once. Her testimony will 
require no comment. Call Mrs. Strickland, please. 
(Talks to Judge — Attendant opens door left and 
calls) 

Attendant. Mrs. Strickland. 

(May enters left. Stands below table l.) 

Arbuckle. (Crosses to her — takes her hand — ■ 
helps her to stand) Kindly take the stand, please. 

(May does so.) 

Clerk. Raise your right hand, please. Do you 
solemnly swear that the testimony you are about 
to give will be the truth, the whole truth and noth- 



ON TRIAL 6i 

ing but the truth, so help you God? Wat's your 
name ? 

May. May Deane Strickland. 

Arbuckle. Now, Mrs. Strickland, you are the 
wife of Robert Strickland, the defendant? 

May. Yes, sir. 

Arbuckle. When were you married ? 

May. July 15, 1903. 

Arbuckle. Did you know Gerald Trask? 

May. Yes, sir, I did. 

Arbuckle. When did you first meet Mr. Trask ? 

May. In March, 1900. 

Arbuckle. That was before you knew Mr, 
Strickland ? 

May. Yes, sir ; more than two years before. 

Arbuckle. How old were you at that time? 

May. Just seventeen. 

Arbuckle. Where did you meet Mr. Trask? 

May. At Lakewood. 

Arbuckle. Now, Mrs. Strickland, describe your 
relations with Mr. Trask at that time. 

May. He was very attentive to me and took me 
about a good deal. About ten days after I met him 
I returned to the city, and he came back too. He 
kept sending me things and taking me out. Then 
one day he asked me to marry him. 

Arbuckle. When was that? 

May. In April, 1900. 

Arbuckle. Did you accept him? 

May. Not the first time. I asked him to wait. 

Arbuckle. What did he say? 

May. He said he would wait as long as I wanted 
him to. But every time he saw me he spoke to me 
about it — telling me how much he loved me and how 
much I meant to him. He seemed so earnest and 
sincere that I believed everything he said. At last 
I yielded and consented to marry him. 

Arbuckle. When was that? 



62 ON TRIAL 

May. On the 19th of May. He said he wanted 
to be married next day. But on account of his 
family he couldn't let it be known for awhile, so 
we'd have to be married secretly. Next day he 
called for me in his automobile and said we were 
going to a hotel in Great Neck, Long Island, to 
meet a clergyman with whom he had made arrange- 
ments. We got to Great Neck at about seven 
o'clock that evening. 

Arbuckle. (Pause) Yes? 

May. The next morning we were to have break- 
fast in our rooms. 

Ring — Lights go out — Curtain.) 



SCENE II. 



(Knocking heard off right. Curtain rises. Lights 
go up. Enter May from left.) 

May. Just a minute, just a minute, please. 
(Opens door right) Come in. 

Waiter. (Enters zvith breakfast) It's the 
breakfast, ma'am. 

May. Put it right there. 

Waiter. Shall I set the table, ma'am. 

May. No — no. 

(Russell enters zvith bunch of flotvers — Waiter 
exits R.) 

Russell. Good morning, Mrs. Trask. 
May. Oh. good morning, Mr. Russell. 
Russell. I just came in to supervise the laying 
of the breakfast. I want it to be a function. 



ON TRIAL 6^ 

May. (Laughing) Yes, considering it's the 
first. 

Russell. I told the chef to make the effort of 
his life. 

May. That's darling in you, Mr. Russell. 

(Waiter goes off left.) 

Russell. (Presenting the flowers) And here's 
the bridal bouquet. I wish you both lots of hap- 
piness. 

May. Thank you ever so much, Mr. Russell. 
They're beautiful. 

Russell. From our own garden. Permit me 
to lay the table. 

May. Oh, no ; please let me. 

Russell. Well, I hope you enjoy your break- 
fast. 

May. I'm sure we shall. Thank you again. 
{Holding out flowers) 

Trask. Hello, Russell ! (Enters r.) 

Russell. (At door) Good morning, Mr. 
Trask. {Goes out r.) 

May. Gerald, look at the beautiful flowers Mr. 
Russell brought me. Aren't they lovely? 

Trask. Fine. 

May. He's awfully nice. 

Trask. He can't help being nice to you. 

May. You deserve a flower for that. 

(Business of adjusting flower on his coat.) 

Trask. That breakfast smells very interesting. 
May. Before you can have a mouthful to eat, 
you must tell me where you've been all the while. 
Trask. I've been fixing up the car. 
May. You were gone ages and ages. 
Trask. Only fifteen minutes. 



64 ON TRIAL 

May. Only fifteen minutes ! Why, that's a life- 
time. I thought you were never coming back. 

Trask. (Laughing) Did you? 

May. Yes. That would have been a nice state 
of affairs, wouldn't it — on our first day? 

Trask. Yes. Parted at the altar, eh? 

May. I think you deserve a scolding for run- 
ning off for so long. (Puts flowers in vase) 

Trask. Don't scold me. I hate to be scolded 
on an empty stomach. (Gets table cloth) 

May. Will you promise never to do it again? 

Trask. Yes, I promise. 

May. Oh, that isn't enough. You must say, " I'll 
never, never, never leave you again, as long as I 
live." Say that. 

Trask. I'll never, never, never leave you — how 
does it go? (Both lay table-cloth) 

May. " — again, as long as I live." 

Trask. Again, as long as I live. Is that right? 

May. Yes. And now you must ask me to for- 
give you. 

Trask. Forgive me. 

May. May dear. 

Trask. May dear. (Kisses her — They stand 
each side of the table) 

May. Ooh! You taste of gasoline. 

(Business of breakfast throughout.) 

Trask. Yes; I've been tanking up the car. 
{Crosses r.) 

May. Why? (Crosses n.) 

Trask. We're going away this afternoon. (Puts 
grape-fruit on table) 

May. Going away ? Where to ? 

Trask. Anywhere you like. 

May. Why leave here ? 



ON TRIAL 65 

Trask. Oh, there's no fun here. This place is 
dead. 

May. But I love this place. It will always be 
sacred to me — our wedding place. It's the greatest 
happiness we'll ever know. (Gets knives, forks, 
napkins and toast — Crosses to l. of table — Sets 
table) 

Trask. Of course there's a lot in that. Still, 
it's not very lively. {Gets omelet) 

May. Every once in a while, Gerald, years from 
now, we'll slip down here quietly — just you and I 
alone, and live this day again, won't we. 

Trask. Yes; that will be bully. (Gets cups, 
saucers, plates, then cream and coffee) 

May. Isn't it strange ! Yesterday this place was 
only a queer name to me, and now it's the dearest 
spot on earth. I'm so happy, Gerald dear. Must 
we keep it quiet long? (They embrace) 

Trask. Yes, quite a while, I'm afraid. 

May. It seems so wrong for families to interfere 
in these things. If people love each other, I don't see 
why they must consult anyone else about it. (Puts 
vase on table) 

Trask. You can't get everybody to see that. 
(Gets sugar, salt and pepepr) 

May. I wish we could tell. (Sits l. of table) I'm 
just longing to go about telling everybody how 
happy I am. 

Trask. Don't say a word to anyone. 

May. No, I won't — I've promised. But the 
clergyman may tell someone, Gerald. Clergymen 
are sometimes gossipy, you know. 

Trask. I'll see that he doesn't tell. (Gets but- 
ter plate's) 

May. What's his name? 

Trask. The clergyman? (Sits r. of table) 

May. Yes. 

Trask. Oh — Smith. Walter Smith. 



66 ON TRIAL 

May. Is he nice? (Pours coffees, sugar and 
cream ) 

Trask. Yes ; fine chap. 

May. You're very good friends, aren't you ? 

Trask. Oh, yes ; we were classmates at college. 

May. I'm glad of that. 

Trask. Why ? 

May. Well, it will be so much nicer than having 
a stranger. Don't you think so ? 

Trask. Yes, of course. That was why I asked 
him. 

May. Do you think he'll be here soon? 

Trask. Sometime during the morning, he said. 

May. It's strange, he didn't receive your first 
message last night, isn't it? 

Trask. There's nothing strange about it. His 
maid forgot to deliver it, that's all. 

May. Of course, it was too late for him to come 
down after you telephoned from here. 

Trask. Yes, of course, it was almost midnight. I 
couldn't have asked it of him. 

May. I wish he had come last night. 

Trask. Yes ; it's too bad he didn't. 

May. I feel uncomfortable about it. 

Trask. I don't see why. A few hours sooner or 
later — what difference does it make? 

May. Well, I guess it doesn't make any differ- 
ence. I wish, though, you had gotten someone in 
the neighborhood. 

Trask. I told you I tried. The only clergyman 
who could have married us is out of town attending 
a convention. But if I had thought you were going 
to be cut up about it 

May. You aren't angry, are you, dear. (Rises, 
goes to back of table) 

Trask. No, certainly not. I understand how you 
feel about it ; but it's only a matter of form, after all, 
you know. 



ON TRIAL 67 

May. Of course it is. I'm a silly girl, and you're 
so patient with me. Do you know, Gerald, I'm aK 
most afraid of you sometimes. 

Trask. Nonsense! Why? (Puts omelet ow 
plates) 

May. You know so many things. {Sits l. of 
table) 

Trask. That's no reason you should be afraid 
of me. {Hands plate to May) 

May. I know it isn't. Gerald, dear, you're sure 
you never cared for any other girl? 

Trask. My dear child, I've told you a hundred 
times. Don't you believe me? 

May. Of course I do. But it seerns so strange 
that you should fail in love with me. You've met 
so many other girls. 

Trask. Yes ; but I've never met anyone like 
you. 

May. You do care a great deal, don't you? 
(Takes his hand) 

Trask. I've told you. 

May. And you'll be very good to me. 

Trask. As good as I know how. 

May. And you'll always love me? 

Trask. As long as I live. Haven't I said so? 

(Both drink, looking at each other.) 

May. (Pauses — goes to window l.) I do wish 
Mr. Smith would come. 

Trask. I can't imagine what's keeping him. 

May. Don't you think you'd better telephone? 

Trask. No. Let's be patient a little while 
longer. 

May. What will we do if he doesn't come? 

Trask. Well, you see we must leave here this 
afternoon at any rate. 



68 ON TRIAL 

May. But wc can't leave without being married. 

Trask. Why not ? 

May. Why not ! Surely, Gerald, you wouldn't 
want to. 

Tkask. I thought we had agreed about that. 

May. I know, but 

Trask. I don't see what you're worried about. 
It's only a matter of ceremony — a formality. 

May. I know ; but a girl looks at these things 
differently. 

Trask. Well, if my man doesn't come, it would 
be impossible to be married here anyhow. 

May. Couldn't you find someone — (^Sits l. of 
table) 

Trask. Impossible ! There's no one available. 
Besides, we couldn't get a ring down here. 

May. Oh, haven't you a ring? 

Trask. No. I forgot it. It's all right, though. I 
told Wallace to bring one down with him. 

May. W^allace? I thought you said his name 
was Walter? 

Trask. So it is. Wallace is a nick-name I gave 
him because he's so proud of his Scotch ancestry. 

May. Oh ! Gerald, I've got a plain gold ring. 
Ill get it. (Exits left — Pause; knock at door r.) 

Trask. Come in. (Russell enters, with open 
telegram in his hand) Hello, Russell, what have 
you got there? Dispatches from the front? 

(May enters left.) 

May. Gerald, look; will this do. (Down l. c.) 

Russell. I'd like an explanation of this. (Reads 
telegram) " Detain May Deane until I arrive. She 
is with Gerald Trask. — Henry Deane." 

May. From Father ! 

Trask. (Angrily to May) What is this? 



ON TRIAL 69 

May. I don't know, Gerald. I don't understand 
it. 

Trask. Didn't I tell yon — ? 

May. I didn't tell him. 

Russell. Well, Mr. Trask? 

Trask. Well, what? 

Russell. Is this young lady your wife, or isn't 
she? 

Trask. What difference does that make to you? 

Russell. It makes a great deal of difference to 
me. You registered here as man and wife. 

Trask. Well, then, what are you worrying" 
about ? 

May. But explain to Mr. Russell, Gerald. 
(Trask crosses l. up to zmndozv — Looks out win- 
dozu) We're going to be married this morning, Mr. 
Russell. We were going to be married last night, 
but there was no clergyman. 

Trask. Keep quiet. May ! 

Russell. Quite so. There probably aren't 
more than about a dozen clergymen within a mile 
of this place. 

May. What do you mean! GERALD 

{Comes down r. to Russell) 

Trask. Keep quiet, I tell you, and let me man- 
age this. What do you want, Russell? 

Russell. I want you to get out at once. 

Trask. We're planning to leave this afternoon. 

Russell. That won't do ; you must leave im- 
mediately. It's eleven o'clock now — I want you 
out by noon. 

Trask. I'll go when I get ready. 

Russell. No, you won't ; you'll go now. I 
won't have any questionable characters in my house. 

May. How can you let him talk like that ! 

Trask. Will you be quiet ! 

Russell. I've been years building up a reputa- 



70 ON TRIAL 

tion for this place, and I don't intend risking it for 
you or anyone else. 

Trask. You're damned independent, old man. 
This isn't the only roadhouse on Long Island, you 
know. 

Russell. I guess I can stand the loss of your 
business. I don't care for your sort, anyhow. 

Trask. You've said enough, Russell. You'd bet- 
ter clear out. (Cro'sses l. and up stage) 

Russell. {Up to door r.) Yes ; but I want you 
out by noon, understand that. Young lady, for your 
sake, I hope your father gets here before then. 

Trask. If you don't get out of this room I'll 
kick you out. 

Russell. If you're not out by noon I'll send for 
the police. (Exits r.) 

(Trask crosses r. — locks door, followed by May.) 

May. Gerald, why did he talk like that? Why 
didn't you explain? 

Trask. This is a nice mess we're in. 

May. But, Gerald, if you had only explained 

Trask. Didn't I tell you not to let vour father 
know where we were. 

May. But I didn't. 

Tr.\sk. What ! 

May. I didn't, I tell you. I would have if you 
hadn't told me not to. 

Trask. I told you fifty times that I didn't want 
anvone to know. (Do^vn l.) 

May. But I didn't— I didn't! 

Trask. How else could he have found out? 

May. I don't know — but not from me. 

Trask. The very thing I wanted to avoid has 
happened. (Crosses r.) 

May. But it's not my fault 

Trask. He'll come down here and make a scene. 



ON TRIAL 71 

May. Not when he finds it's all right. But I 
wonder how he knew we weren't married yet. 

Trask. Don't waste time now. Get ready. 
(Crosses l.) 

May. Ready for what? 

Trask. To go. We've got to clear out before 
the old man gets here. 

May. Oh, no, Gerald ; let's 

Trask. I'm managing this. Get ready. ( Up to 
door L. — Knock at door) 

May. Oh, that must be Mr. Smith. 

Trask. Damn it ! That's your father, I'll bet. 
There'll be a devil of a row 

May. Shall I tell him to come in? 

Trask. Wait a minute. If it's your father, I 
don't want to see him. 

May. But, Gerald 

Trask. Listen to me. I'm going into the other 
room. I'll wait in there while you talk to the old 
man. If he asks for me, tell him I'm out. Get rid 
of him as quickly as you can. Do you understand? 

May. Yes ; but if it's Mr. Smith 

Trask. Do as I tell you, do you hear me? 
{Knock at door. He goes into bedroom. May 
pauses irresolutely. Crosses r. and unlocks door) 

May. Father! (Retreats r. c.) 

Deane. Where's Trask? 

May. Why did you come. Father? 

Deane. Where is he? (Crosses c. below table) 

May. He— he's out. 

Deane. Where did he go? 

May. Why — I don't know he didn't say — ■ 

but, Father 

Deane. When is he coming back? 

May. Why — not for quite a while. (Pause) 
How did you know we were here, Father? 

Deane. Never mind now. Get your things, 
May. (Looks at breakfast) 



-^2. ON TRIAL 

May. My things ? Why ? 

Deane. We're going home. 

May. But, Father, Gerald and I are going to be 
married this morning. 

Deane. Get your things, May. 

May. But, Father, you don't seem to under- 
stand. Gerald and I are going to be married this 
morning; we're waiting for the clergyman. {Goes 
to him) 

Deane. He can't marry you. (Puts arms around 
ker) 

May. He can't ! What do you mean ? 

Deane. He is a married man. {Turning away) 

May. {Inarticulately) Married? 

Deane. His wife telephoned to me this morning. 
She's been having him watched. 

May. No ! I don't believe it ! I don't believe 
it! 

Deane. Come, May. 

May. {With her hack to the door) Father, 
don't you understand? We're to be married this 
morning. There's a clerg}aTian coming down. (Mrs. 
Trask enters) He was to have come last night. 
Don't you understand? (May turns and sees her — 
Pause) W'hoareyou? What do you want ? Who 
is she? 

Deane. This is Mrs. Trask. 

Mrs. Trask. You'd better go home with your 
father. 

(May stands dazed, looking from one to the other.) 

Deane. {Crosses to her) Come, May, come. 

(May then rushes to the bedroom door, zvhich she 
flings open.) 

May. Gerald! Gerald! {Goes in room; comes 



ON TRIAL ji, 

out; stands at door. Dean rushes out door l. Count 
FIVE then auto effect; she rushes to tvindow. 
Deane enters the bedroom) Gerald! Gerald! 
{Screams and faints — Deane enters) 
Dkane. May ! 

( Lights out — Curtain.) 

SCENE III. 

Curtain — Lights Up. 

May. {Discovered on witness stand) I don't 
know what happened then; {Ring up) I must have 
fainted. But the sound of that automobile went 
through my head for weeks. Soon after, father 

died. Then I met Robert my husband. When 

I saw that he loved me, I tried to tell him about— 
about that terrible experience, but I was afraid of 
destroying his happiness. He would not have un- 
derstood. Men don't understand, and I loved him 
so. He seemed to need me and to need his belief in 
me. I came to realize I must never tell him. He 
was all that life meant to me. I wanted to devote 
my every thought to shielding him from the slightest 
tinhappiness. Even though he was a strong man, 
he seemed to need my protection. Tv/o years later 
we were married. I had begun to think of that 
awful experince only as a terrible dream. Then my 
baby — Doris — came. And I had two to watch 
over ; their happiness was my one aim in life. For 
nine years we three were so happy together. Then 
one day about a year ago, Robert mentiond that 
man's name ; he had met him somewhere. I hoped 
that their acquaintance was only passing ; but they 
became more friendly. Robert spoke several times 
of having us meet, but for a year I avoided that 
meetinsr. Meanv.-hile Robert's business troubles 



74 ON TRIAL 

had begun. He — that man — lent him money and 
helped him in other ways. With their growing 
friendship I dreaded the wrecking of all our hap- 
piness. Then a business opportunity arose, which 
would take us from New York. I urged Robert 
to accept this, and he finally decided to. It seemed 
as if some power were guarding the happiness of my 
husband and baby. It was a Monday when Robert 
left for Cleveland. Tuesday night HE came. It 
was about the note which was due then. He recog- 
nized me, and threatened to tell Robert everything. 
He taunted me, saying that Robert would believe 
anything against me because of my long silence. He 
demanded that I come to his house at Long Branch 
the next day. I begged for mercy. I went down 
on my knees to him. I begged, and begged, and 
begged. He wouldn't even listen to me. He said 
he would ruin Robert and make a pauper of him. I 
was mad with fear. I didn't care for myself, I only 
thought of Robert and my baby. Their happiness 
was in my hands. I would have paid any price to 
shield them. If by dying I could have saved them, I 
would have died willingly. It would have been much 
easier than — but there was only one way, and I had 
to save them. Then Robert found out, and all my 
years of planning were shattered. Last evening, as 
I lay half-conscious in the hospital, I heard the 
nurses discussing the testimony of a little girl. I 
learned it was my little girl, and that my husband 
was on trial for murder and burglary. They didn't 
want to let me go, but I made them understand that 
my husband might be put to death unless the truth 
were known. I've told you the truth. Can't you un- 
derstand ? He didn't go there to rob ; he didn't take 
the money. Robert's not a thief. I am to blame. 
The fault is all mine. I've ruined the lives of my 
husband and baby. God forgive me! (Ring cur- 
tain) God forgive me! God forgive me. 



ON TRIAL 7S 

ACT IV. 

THE JURY ROOM 

Foreman. Mr. Mathews. 
Mathews. Not guilty. 
Foreman. Mr. Adams. 
Adams, Not guilty. 
Foreman. Mr. Richner. 
RiCHNER. Not guilty. 
Foreman. Mr Leavitt. 
Leavitt. Not guilty. 
Foreman. Mr. Oton. 
Oton. Not guilty. 
Foreman. Mr. Summers. 
Summers. Not guilty. 

(Ring up.) 

Foreman. Mr. Tovell. 

TovELL. Not guilty. 

Foreman. Mr. Elliot. 

Elliott. Not guilty. 

Foreman. Mr. Friend. 

Friend. Not guilty. 

Foreman. Mr. Leeds. 

Leeds. Not guilty. 

Foreman. Mr. Moore. 

Moors. (Rises down r. — After hesitating) Not 
guilty. 

Juror Leeds. Good ! 

Juror Friend. That's the stuff ! 

Juror Elliott. At last! 

Juror Tovell. Good for you ! 

Juror Moore. Wait a moment. Mr. Trumbull 
hasn't voted. How do you vote, Trumbull ? 

Foreman. Gentlemen, we stand eleven for ac- 
quittal and one for conviction. 



Td ON TRIAL 

Juror Leeds. Oh, I say, Trumbull ! Don't hold 
out now ! ( Crosses r. doivn stage ) 

Juror Friend. What's the good of being pig- 
headed. (Rises) 

Juror Tovell. Make it acquittal, and let's get it 
over with. 

Foreman. (Quietly) I've voted, gentlemen. 

Juror Summers. Look here, Trumbull, will you 
listen to reason ? (Crosses Ji. c.) 

Foreman. {Pushes back chair and puts one foot 
on table) Go ahead. 

Sixth Juror. What's the good of sending 
Strickland to the chair? You don't bring Trask back 
to life, do you? All you do is kill off a good, clean, 
straightforward chap who's a valuable asset to the 
community. And who suffers most? Strickland? 
Not he ! His wife and his little girl — they're the 
sufferers. You throw a sensitive woman out on the 
world and give a little girl a blot upon her name 
that she'll never be able to wipe out. What's your 
idea? Why do you want to convict him? 

Foreman. I don't want to convict him. I don't 
want to be instrumental in sending any man to his 
death. I guess I've got as much liumanity in me as 
the rest of you. To hear you talk, a person would 
think I'm thirsting for Strickland's blood. 

(Summers crosses to Friend.) 

Juror Mathews. Well, why are you holding 
out? 

Juror Leavitt. \\'hy don't you vote for ac- 
quittal ? 

Juror Tovell. Your attitude doesn't bear out 
your words. 

Mathews. (Sits on table in front of Foreman) 
Come on, Trumbull, be reasonable ! 



ON TRIAL j-j 

(Leeds goes up k.) 

Foreman. There's one thing you gentlemen seem 
to overlook. We're citizens as well as men. We've 
sworn to do our duty as jurors — to render a fair 
verdict. We mustn't be swayed by personal senti- 
ments. W^e must govern ourselves by the evidence. 
(TovELL rises — sits) That's what we're here for — 
to render justice. 

(Mathews goes l., gets a drink of water at cooler- 
sits L.) 

Juror Summers. Now listen to me, Trumbull; 
you're a reasonable man. (Leeds crosses to r. c.) 
Just let's get away from strict logic for a moment. 
You say you want to render justice. 'VN'^ell, so do L 
So do we all. 

Juror Leeds. Yes. of course ! 

Juror Friend. Certainly. 

Juror Tovell. That's w-hat w-e're here for ! 

Juror Leavitt. Of course we do. 

Juror Summers. But rendering justice means 
something more than applying hard and fast rules 
of law. I'll grant you that the letter of the law 
declares that if one man kills another, the penalty 
must be death. But we've got to get beneath the 
letter — we must get at the spirit. W^e're not ma- 
chines, you know. There's more to this case than 
a mechanical application of the Penal law. We've 
got to attack this fron the human standpoint. We 
must try to put ourselves in Strickland's place. Just 
consider that for a moment. {Dozvn r.) Suppose 
that Mrs. Strickland had been your wife — and 
Trask had been the other party. What would you 
have done? 

Juror Friend. Yes, he's right. 

Juror Leeds. That's the way to look at it. 



78 ON TRIAL 

Juror Tovell. You'd have done the same. (Rises 
— sits on table, facing Foreman) Shooting was too 
good for Trask ! 

Juror Mathews. Yes, there's an unwritten law 
that — (Rises) 

Juror Summers* (Interrupting) I don't agree 
with you there. Ordinarily I don't believe that 
there's any justification for taking a human life. 
But this case is one in a thousand. This man Trask 
deliberately invaded his friend's home- — and wrecked 
it ! The woman was helpless, and he played on 
her helplessness- That's why I'm for acquittal. 
And that's why you should be for acquittal too. 
Trumbull, you have a wife. Just consider 

Juror Moore. (Dozvn r. followed by Leeds — • 
Interrupting) I think that you gentlemen are 
going off at a tangent. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, 
Trumbull agrees with you that Strickland had 
ample justification for killing Trask. 

(Summers goes up r. c.) 

Juror Leeds. Then why's he holding out? 

Juror Tovell. What's keeping him back? Let's 
hear from you, Trumbull. 

Foreman. Mr. Moore is right. I do think that 
Strickland had cause for killing Trask. If I had 
been placed in similar circumstances, I probably 
would have done the same thing. 

Juror Summers. But still you vote for convic- 
tion. 

Foreman. Yes, because I'm not sure that Strick- 
land went to Trask's house solely because of his 
wife. I'm inclined to think he also went there to 
rob the safe. 

Juror Leeds. That's nonsense (Goes to chair 
and sits). 

Juror Friend. Absurd! 



ON TRIAL 79 

Juror Tovell. Strickland's no burglar. (Up 
stage r.). 

Juror Summers. (Summers sits on edge of 
table facing Trumbull) You don't really believe 
that, Trumbull. One look at Strickland ought to 
convince you that he's not a safe-cracker. Of 
course, I don't know him personally, but I've known 
him by reputation for a number of years. He's 
as straight as a die. Ask anyone in the business 
world. 

Juror Friend. Why, of course ! 

Juror Leeds. Everybody knows that! 

Juror Tovell. Does he look like a burglar.^ 

Foreman. (Rises and stands r.) I grant you 
all that, gentlemen; but you can't dodge the facts. 
There's a chain of circumstances woven around 
Strickland that, to my mind, would damn the Angel 
Gabriel. Just consider the facts. Strickland was 
hard pressed. He paid Trask the ten thousand 
dollars in cash. Why didn't he pay it by check like 
a business man? He was the only one besides 
Trask who knew the combination of the safe. And 
he was on the spot when the safe was opened. 
Looks pretty bad, don't you think? 

Juror Summers. (Up a step) Of course it 
looks bad; but it's all been explained. We know- 
why Strickland went there. 

Juror Leeds- Of course we do. 

Juror Friend. Certainly ! 

Juror Tovell. That's all been cleared up! 
(Rises) 

Foreman. Well, if it's all been explained, as you 
say it has, there are two things I'd like you to 
explain to me. (Tovell sits). Firstly, liow did 
the burglar open the safe? 

Juror Summers. He tampered with it. (Starts 

Foreman. No, he didn't. The police ofHcer 



8o ON TRIAL 

testified that the tumblers were in perfect order. 
No, gentlemen, he opened the safe with the com- 
bination. And the only source from which he could 
learn the combination was Strickland. 

Juror Moore. It does look pretty bad, I'll ad- 
mit that. 

Juror Elliot. Oh, I don't know ! 

Juror Leavitt. (Sits on edge of fable) I don't 
believe in circumstantial evidence ! 

Juror Mathews. Neither do I. 

Juror Tovell* You can't convince me that 
Strickland's a burglar ! 

Foreman. That's not all, gentlemen. There's 
something else you'll have to explain to my satis- 
faction before I vote for acquittal. 

Juror Summers. What's that? 

P'oREMAN. Strickland had that combination on 
a card. The card was the only really incriminating 
evidence against him. If he's innocent of the 
burglary, as you say he is, why did he attempt to 
destroy the card? 

Juror Leavitt. Who says he did? 

Juror Tovell. How do you know he did? 

Foreman. Why, here's the card! (Moore crosses 
to Trltmbull) Don't you see that it's torn almost 
in two? And didn't Glover testify that it was 
Strickland who tore it? 

Juror Leavitt. No ! 

Juror Elliott. Yes ! 

Juror Leeds. That's right! 

Juror Friend. I don't remember it! 

Juror Tovell. He did not ! 

Foreman* Well, gentlemen, it seems to me it's 
rather an important point. 

Juror Moore. Yes, it is. I'm glad you raised 
it. I'm inclined to agree with you about it. 

Foreman. There's only one reason why Strick- 
land should attempt to destroy that card, gentlemen, 



ON TRIAL 8i 

and that is to wipe out the evidence that would 
be bound to convict him. 

Juror Summers. I don't beheve he did attempt 
to destroy the card. 

Juror Leavitt. Yes, he did! 

Juror Leeds. No! 

Juror Tovell. I don't think Glover said so! 

Juror Moore. Wait a minute, I seem to remem- 
ber Glover saying so. 

Juror Leeds. He didn't. 

fuROR Mathews. I don't know if he did or not. 

Foreman. We don't seem to agree about it. We 
ought to find out, I think. 

Juror Summers. Let's send for Glover and 
ask him. {Crosses l.) 

Juror Moore. We can't do that. We'll have to 
get permission to have his testimony read to us. 

Foreman. All right; Fll send a note to the 
judge. {Sit, writes). 

Juror Summers. Ring for an attendant {Drinks 
at cooler — Moore pushes buzzer). 

{Lights out — Curtain — Effect of Buzzing Call 
Button During Change). 

EPILOGUE 

{Buzzer is heard as lights go up in Court Room. 
The Clerk, the Stenographer and the two 
Attendants talking together. Gray and Dr. 
Morgan are sitting on the table. An Attendant 
hurries to the Jury Room, re-enters a moment later 
with a note, crosses right, enters Judge's room.) 

Gray. There's something doing- 
Dr. Morgan. {Sitting on edge of table) An 
agreement, do you think? 

Gray. {Crosses r.) Most likely. 



82 ON TRIAL 

Dr. Morgan. How long have they been out? 
Gray. (Crosses l.) Almost five hours. 
Dr. Morgan. Well, what do you think ? 
Gray. I don't know what to think, Dr- Morgan. 
This is an unusual case. 

(Attendant enters right.) 

Attendant. His Honor is coming, gentlemen. 

(To the other Attendant) Notify counsel to 

bring in the prisoner. 

(Second Attendant goes off left — First Attendant 
opens the door of the Jury Room Crosses up l.) 
First Attendant. All right, gentlemen. 

(Doctor goes hack of table — Jurors file in, taks 
their placed — Judge enters right.) 

Clerk. Justice of the Court. 
(Judge takes his place, sits; jurors, etc., sit — 
(Arbuckle, May, Doris and Strickland enter 
left and sit at table left— Strickj.a'nd enters first 
follozued by Attendant, then May and Dorls — 
May sits upper chair l. of table with Doris on 
her lap — Arbuckle enters last, stands above 
table). 

Dinsmore. (To Gray and Arbuckle) Gentle- 
man, I have received a note from the jury, in which 
they request that a portion of Glover's testimony be 
read to them. (To the Stenographer) Turn to 
Glover's testimony, please. Now read that portion 
which pertains to the tearing of the card. People's 
exhibit A- 

Stenographer. (Reading) Question, by Mr. 
Gray: " Now, IMr. Glover, I call your attention to 
the fact that the card is torn almost in half: can 
you explain how that occurred ? " Ans. : " Yes : as 
I took the card from Strickland's pocket, he 
snatched it out of my hand and started to tear it in 



ON TRIAL 83 

half ; before he had torn it all the way I managed 

to get it back again. " Question : 

(Arbuckle Crosses l. and whispers to Doctor then 
to Gray.) 

Foreman. That's enough. {He turns to the 
other jurors, and there begins what is apparently a 
heated discussion. Meanwhile Dr. Morgan is 
whispering in an animated fashion to Gray and 
Arbuckle.) 

DiNS^^ioRE. Is that all, gentlemen? 

Foreman. One moment, if Your Honor pleases- 
{Discussion is resumed between Foreman and 
Summers.) 

Foreman. Your Honor, the jury would like 
permission to ask Mr. Strickland a few questions. 

DiNSMORE. {To Arbuckle and Gray) Do you 
consent to the case being reopened, gentlemen.^ 

Gray. Yes, Your Honor. 

DiNSMORE. Mr. Arbuckle 

Arbuckle. {Looks at Strickland — Pause) 
Yes, Your Honor. 

DiNSMORE. Mr. Strickland! (Strickland 
rises) Are vou willing to take the stand? 

Strickland. Yes, Your Honor. {Goes to 
stand) 

Clerk. Do you solemnly swear that the testi- 
mony you are about to give \\\\\ be the truth, the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you. 
God? What's your name? 

Stricki.and. Robert Strickland. 

Foreman. Mr. Strickland, the jury would like 
to know why you attempted to destroy this card 
with the combination to the safe on it ? 

Dixsmore. You need not answer that question 
unless vou want to. 

Strickland. { To the jury) I didn't attempt to 
destroy it. 



84 ON TRIAL 

{Sensation in the jury.) 

Foreman. You mean that you didn't tear the 
card ? 

Strickland. I did not. 

Foreman. Do you know who did? 

Strickland. No, sir. 

Foreman. Did you know the card contained the 
combination to the safe? 

Strickland. Not until I heard it yesterday in 
court. 1 saw some figures on the card, but they 
had no significance to me. 1 never thought of the 
card from the time I looked at the address on it 
imtil I saw it here in court. 

(Doctor in pantomime fells Arbuckle to let him 
go on the stand again.) 

Foreman. Do you mean that you didn't sec ot 
feel Mr. Glover take it from your pocket? 

Strickland. No, sir, 1 did not. I was almost 
blind with pain at that time. 

F'oRRMAN. That's all. 

(Strickland steps f/o7C'H. The Jurors ivhisper 
excitedly. ) 

Arbuckle. {Crosses c.) With Your Honor's 
permission, I will recall Dr. Morgan. 
Dinsmore. Any objection, Mr. Gray? 
Gray. No, Your Honor. 
Arbuckle. Dr. Morgan. 

(Dr. Morgan takes the sta)id.) 

Arbuckle. Dr. Morgan, on the night of the 
shooting, did you examine the defendant? 

Morgan. Yes, sir. When I found that it was 



ON TRIAL 85 

too late to do anything for Mr. Trask, 1 turned my 
attention to Mr. Strickland. 

Arduckle. In what condition did you find him ? 

Morgan. He was lying on his back on the floor 
in a semi-conscious state, moaning with pain. 

Arbuckle. Did you examine his arm? 

Morgan. Yes. sir ; I examined it very carefully 
while Mr. Glover and the police officers were testing 
the safe. 

Arbuckle. Will you describe the condition of 
the arm, please. 

Morgan. The arm had been struck a terrific 
blow with a heavy cane. The blow fell squarely 
on the wrist, dislocating the wristjoint. Both bones 
of the forearm — the radius and the ulna — were 
badly fractured. It was one of the worst fractures 
I have ever seen. 

Arbuckle. Now, Dr. Morgan, in your opinion, 
could the defendant have torn this card, as you sec 
it here, between the time his arm was broken and 
the time you arrived? 

Dr. Morgan. He could not. 

Arbuckle. You are svtre of that ? 

Morgan. Yes! The hand was entirely para- 
lyzed. It would have been a physical impossibility, 
assuming even that his mental state would have per- 
mitted it. The bones haven't knit yet. At that time 
he couldn't have moved the arm or the hand a frac- 
tion of an inch. 

Arbuckle. Thank you. That's all. Dr. Mor- 
gan. (Morgan steps dozvn — Goes back of table l.) 
Do you know where Glover is, Mr. Gra}-? 

Gray. The last time I saw him he was in my 
office reading. 

Arbuckle. (To Attendant) See if you can 
find Mr. Glover, please. (Attendant goes off left. 
Arbuckle talks to Stenographer. Tense waiting' 
Attendant returns with Glover. Attendant 



86 ON TRIAL 

crosses r., closes door r. ) Will you be good enou*:^h 
to take the stand, Mr. Glover? (Glover takes the 
stand.) I'm sorry to trouble you again, but there's 
one little point upon which we're not quite clear. 

Glover. I'll be glad to do anything in my 
power 

Arbuckle. Thank you. You remember, Mr. 
Glover, that while you were waiting for the police 
to arrive, you happened to think of this card which 
you thought might help the police- 

Glover. Yes, and I was right, too. 

Arbuckle. Indeed you were. Now, Mr. Glover, 
you will recall that you proceeded to search Mr. 
Strickland's pockets in the hope of finding the card. 

Glover. Yes ; and I did find it. 

Arbuckle. Precisely. It was in his coat pocket 
you found it. I believe? 

Glover. Yes ; side pocket. 

Arbuckle. (Dozvn-stage) Now, if you don't 
mind, I'd just like to have you describe that scene 
in detail. Where was Mr. Strickland? 

Glover- He was on the floor, lying on his back. 

Arbuckle. And you were standing over him ? 

Glover. Yes. 

Arbuckle. On which side of him ? 

Glover. The right side. 

Arbuckle. And as you bent over him and went 
through his pockets, did he make any attempt to 
prevent you ? 

Glover. Oh, yes; he tried to push me away. 

Arbuckle. I see, he kept warding you ofiF like 
this, huh? {Indicating with right arm as if pushimj 
someone azvay) 

Glover. Yes. 

Arbuckle. Finally, however, you succeeded in 
getting the card ? 

Glover. Yes- 



ON TRIAL S7 

Arbuckle. Let's see. It was in the left side 
pocket of the coat, wasn't it ? 

Glover. Left? (Pause) Yes. 

Arbuckle. Now as you straightened up you held 
the card in your right hand, didn't you ? 

Glover. That's correct. 

Arbuckle. But before you had a chance to get 
the card out of reach, Strickland raised himself on 
his right elbow, and with his left hand snatched the 
card out of your hand. That's all right so far, 
isn't it? 

Glover. Yes. 

Arbuckle. (Upstage) Now, if I'm wrong in 
any of these details, I want you to set me right- My 
memory fails me sometimes- 

Glover. All right; I'll let you know when you 
make a mistake. 

Arbuckle. Thank you, that's very good of you. 
Now there was something else. I must ask you to 
be just a little patient with me. 

Glover. Certainly. 

Arbuckle. (Dozvn-stage) Oh, yes ! Strickland 
snatched the card, then he tore it. Now, how did 
fee tear it ? 

Glover. How ? What do you mean ? 

Arbuckle. Well, I mean, did he tear it quickly 
OT slowly or 

Glover. Well, rather quickly, because I snatched 
it out of his hand almost instantly- 

Arbuckle. Oh! I see. Now let's get that 
straight. Strickland had the card in his left hand — 
like this. Right ? 

Glover. Yes. 

Arbuckle. And he was supportmg himself on 
bis right elbow- — like this. Yes? 

Glover. Yes. 

Arbuckle. Then he made a quick backward 



88 ON TRIAL 

movement — like this— tearing the card ahnost in 
half. That's right, isn't it ? 

Glover. That's right. 

Arbuckle. I see. And then aou snatclied the 
card away from him? 

Glover. Yes. 

Abuckle. And he threatened you, didn't he, as 
you took the card ? 

Glover. Yes. He swore at me and said lie'd 
fix me. 

Arbuckle. And if I remember correctly, you 
said that he made a quick pass for the revolver — 
like this ? Yes ? 

Glover. Yes ; but it was out of his reach. 

Arbuckle. (Up to untness stand) That explains 
it beautifully. You've cleared up the point for us, 
Mr. Glover. We're greatly indebted to you- 

Glover. Not at all. Is there anything else ! 

Arbuckle. No, I think that's all. (Glover is 
about to leave the stand.) Oh, just one moment. 

Glover. Certainly. 

Arbuckle. Mr. .Stenographer, will you read the 
latter part of Dr- Morgan's testimony, to Mr. 
Glover ? 

Stenographer. Question, by Mr. Arbuckle: 
" Now. Dr. Morgan, in your opinion, could the 
defendant have torn this card as you see it here, 
between the time his arm was broken and the time 
you arrived ? " Ans. : " He could not. " Question : 
" You are sure of this ? " Ans. : " Yes ; the hand 
was entirely paralyzed. It would have been a 
physical impossibility, assuming even that his 
mental state would have permitted it. The bones 
haven't knit yet. At that time he couldn't have 
moved the arm or hand a fraction of an inch. " 

Arbuckle. (To Glover) Glover, what did you 
do with that ten thousand dollars? 

Glover. (Panic-stricken) What are you talking 



ON TRIAL 89 

about ? What do you mean ? What ten thousand 
dollars ? 

Gray. (Rises and goes down l. ) Your Honor, 
I ask for a warrant for the arrest of this man as 
an accomplice to the murder of Gerald Trask- 

Glover. (Springing to his feet) No, no, Your 
Honor, it isn't true! I didn't kill him! I took the 
money, but I didn't kill him ! I'll tell you where 
the money is, I don't want it. I don't want it! I'll 
plead guilty— I'll go to jail, but don't arrest me for 
the murder. I'll tell you how it happened — I'll tell 
everything. I didn't know Strickland was coming. 
I planned the robbery that night. When Trask gave 
me the money, I put it in the safe, but I didn't lock 
the safe. I left it open — he didn't notice it. Then 
I came back to get the money. I didn't know about 
Strickland — it's God's truth ! 

Mrs. Trask heard me come in, and I choked her! 
But she's all right — -she's not hurt. That's not 
murder ! I got the money, then I saw Strickland 
come in. 1 didn't know he was coming. I didn't. 
I swear I didn't! I'm innocent! I'm innocent, I 
tell you ! 1 left the room. Then I heard the shot and 
came in. It was the first I knew of it. I'm innocent, 
I tell you ! Send me to jail — give me twenty years 
— I don't care, but don't try me for murder. Gray 
goes upstage.) I tore the card so they'd think 
.Strickland planned the burglary. We weren't work- 
ing together. Ask him ! He'll tell you we weren't. 
I didn't know he was coming. Ask him ; he'll tell 
you. (He crosses left, hammers on table.) Strick- 
land, tell them, tell them we weren't working 
together. 

DiNSMORE. Remove the man. 

(Tzvo officers seize him and drag him off left.) 
Glover. My God, your honor, I didn't kill him, 



90 ON TRIAL 

I took the money, but I didn't kill him. Don't take 
me away, my God I'm not a murderer, I took the 
money, etc., etc. ( Until off) 

(Attendant slams door as the three are off.) 

DiNSMORE. You may resume your dehberatJons, 
gentlemen. 

Foreman. Your honor, we have agreed already. 

Clerk. Robert Strickland ! (Strickland m^jr, 
advances to center.) Prisoner, look upon the jury; 
jury, look upon the prisoner- Gentlemen of the 
jury, have you agreed upon a verdict ? 

Foreman. We have. 

Clerk. And how do you find, gentlemen ? 

Foreman. We find the defendant Not Guilty ! 

May. Robert! {Falls into his aruis) 

Curtain. 



ON TRIAL 



91 



\^ 






c 

m 



m 

8 
c 








92 



ON TRIAL 




ON TRIAL 



93 




94 



ON TRIAL 




ON TRIAL 



95 




